Direct investment in South Africa
South Africa: Direct investment was 185.61 billion US dollar in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
185.61 billion US dollar
Change on year
up 20.9%
World rank
35th
of 164 countries
All-time high
272.99 billion US dollar
in 2017
All-time low
344.88 million US dollar
in 1956
Years of data
70
1956–2025
Direct investment in South Africa, 1956–2025
Source: International Monetary Fund. Measured in US dollar.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 185.61 billion US dollar for direct investment in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 20.9% on the previous year and up 20.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, direct investment in South Africa peaked at 272.99 billion US dollar in 2017 and was at its lowest, 344.88 million US dollar, in 1956.
That places South Africa 35th out of 164 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Direct investment in South Africa, year by year
| Year | US dollar | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 344.88 million US dollar | — |
| 1957 | 400.76 million US dollar | +16.2% |
| 1958 | 449.20 million US dollar | +12.1% |
| 1959 | 483.75 million US dollar | +7.7% |
| 1960 | 519.40 million US dollar | +7.4% |
| 1961 | 581.78 million US dollar | +12.0% |
| 1962 | 645.11 million US dollar | +10.9% |
| 1963 | 700.92 million US dollar | +8.7% |
| 1964 | 727.21 million US dollar | +3.8% |
| 1965 | 769.86 million US dollar | +5.9% |
| 1966 | 912.58 million US dollar | +18.5% |
| 1967 | 963.00 million US dollar | +5.5% |
| 1968 | 1.00 billion US dollar | +4.1% |
| 1969 | 1.11 billion US dollar | +10.6% |
| 1970 | 1.21 billion US dollar | +9.4% |
| 1971 | 1.26 billion US dollar | +4.3% |
| 1972 | 1.33 billion US dollar | +5.3% |
| 1973 | 2.11 billion US dollar | +58.9% |
| 1974 | 2.52 billion US dollar | +19.2% |
| 1975 | 2.42 billion US dollar | -4.0% |
| 1976 | 2.52 billion US dollar | +4.3% |
| 1977 | 3.02 billion US dollar | +19.5% |
| 1978 | 3.70 billion US dollar | +22.7% |
| 1979 | 4.11 billion US dollar | +11.2% |
| 1980 | 5.54 billion US dollar | +34.7% |
| 1981 | 6.06 billion US dollar | +9.4% |
| 1982 | 7.32 billion US dollar | +20.8% |
| 1983 | 7.48 billion US dollar | +2.2% |
| 1984 | 8.52 billion US dollar | +13.9% |
| 1985 | 8.91 billion US dollar | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 10.94 billion US dollar | +22.8% |
| 1987 | 13.42 billion US dollar | +22.7% |
| 1988 | 12.06 billion US dollar | -10.2% |
| 1989 | 13.14 billion US dollar | +9.0% |
| 1990 | 15.01 billion US dollar | +14.2% |
| 1991 | 16.10 billion US dollar | +7.3% |
| 1992 | 17.80 billion US dollar | +10.5% |
| 1993 | 17.96 billion US dollar | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 19.10 billion US dollar | +6.4% |
| 1995 | 23.30 billion US dollar | +22.0% |
| 1996 | 21.04 billion US dollar | -9.7% |
| 1997 | 19.27 billion US dollar | -8.4% |
| 1998 | 22.73 billion US dollar | +17.9% |
| 1999 | 28.07 billion US dollar | +23.5% |
| 2000 | 27.33 billion US dollar | -2.7% |
| 2001 | 14.49 billion US dollar | -47.0% |
| 2002 | 19.69 billion US dollar | +35.9% |
| 2003 | 24.38 billion US dollar | +23.8% |
| 2004 | 34.57 billion US dollar | +41.8% |
| 2005 | 31.04 billion US dollar | -10.2% |
| 2006 | 41.10 billion US dollar | +32.4% |
| 2007 | 55.21 billion US dollar | +34.3% |
| 2008 | 49.44 billion US dollar | -10.5% |
| 2009 | 70.30 billion US dollar | +42.2% |
| 2010 | 83.25 billion US dollar | +18.4% |
| 2011 | 97.05 billion US dollar | +16.6% |
| 2012 | 111.78 billion US dollar | +15.2% |
| 2013 | 128.68 billion US dollar | +15.1% |
| 2014 | 146.02 billion US dollar | +13.5% |
| 2015 | 154.68 billion US dollar | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 175.64 billion US dollar | +13.5% |
| 2017 | 272.99 billion US dollar | +55.4% |
| 2018 | 246.44 billion US dollar | -9.7% |
| 2019 | 215.00 billion US dollar | -12.8% |
| 2020 | 250.96 billion US dollar | +16.7% |
| 2021 | 223.83 billion US dollar | -10.8% |
| 2022 | 207.95 billion US dollar | -7.1% |
| 2023 | 150.67 billion US dollar | -27.5% |
| 2024 | 153.58 billion US dollar | +1.9% |
| 2025 | 185.61 billion US dollar | +20.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 419.65 million US dollar | 344.88 million US dollar | 483.75 million US dollar | 4 |
| 1960s | 792.97 million US dollar | 519.40 million US dollar | 1.11 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.42 billion US dollar | 1.21 billion US dollar | 4.11 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.34 billion US dollar | 5.54 billion US dollar | 13.42 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 1990s | 20.04 billion US dollar | 15.01 billion US dollar | 28.07 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2000s | 36.75 billion US dollar | 14.49 billion US dollar | 70.30 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2010s | 163.15 billion US dollar | 83.25 billion US dollar | 272.99 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2020s | 195.43 billion US dollar | 150.67 billion US dollar | 250.96 billion US dollar | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant LCU), per capita 7,985 constant LCU per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), annual 5.53 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 0.2409 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 1,589 current US$ per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), annual 2.99 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), per 4.31 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), per 28,432 current LCU per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) -1.57 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is direct investment in South Africa?
- Direct investment in South Africa was 185.61 billion US dollar in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest direct investment recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 272.99 billion US dollar in 2017.
- What is the lowest direct investment recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 344.88 million US dollar in 1956.
- How does South Africa rank for direct investment?
- South Africa ranks 35th out of 164 countries with data for 2025.
- Is direct investment rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Direct investment (Assets, Positions, US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The International Investment Position (IIP) is a statistical statement that shows at a point in time the value of financial assets of residents of an economy that are claims on nonresidents or are gold bullion held as reserve assets; and the liabilities of residents of an economy to nonresidents.