Direct investment, Equity and investment fund shares in South Africa
South Africa: Direct investment, Equity and investment fund shares was 174.24 billion US dollar in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
174.24 billion US dollar
Change on year
up 22.7%
World rank
30th
of 158 countries
All-time high
257.17 billion US dollar
in 2017
All-time low
222.50 million US dollar
in 1956
Years of data
70
1956–2025
Direct investment, Equity and investment fund shares in South Africa, 1956–2025
Source: International Monetary Fund. Measured in US dollar.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 174.24 billion US dollar for direct investment, equity and investment fund shares in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 22.7% on the previous year and up 18.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, direct investment, equity and investment fund shares in South Africa peaked at 257.17 billion US dollar in 2017 and was at its lowest, 222.50 million US dollar, in 1956.
That places South Africa 30th out of 158 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, Equity and investment fund shares in South Africa, year by year
| Year | US dollar | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 222.50 million US dollar | — |
| 1957 | 259.23 million US dollar | +16.5% |
| 1958 | 289.67 million US dollar | +11.7% |
| 1959 | 328.56 million US dollar | +13.4% |
| 1960 | 372.40 million US dollar | +13.3% |
| 1961 | 413.56 million US dollar | +11.1% |
| 1962 | 467.39 million US dollar | +13.0% |
| 1963 | 530.58 million US dollar | +13.5% |
| 1964 | 546.11 million US dollar | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 589.29 million US dollar | +7.9% |
| 1966 | 739.82 million US dollar | +25.5% |
| 1967 | 776.57 million US dollar | +5.0% |
| 1968 | 808.83 million US dollar | +4.2% |
| 1969 | 927.37 million US dollar | +14.7% |
| 1970 | 1.02 billion US dollar | +9.9% |
| 1971 | 1.05 billion US dollar | +3.5% |
| 1972 | 1.10 billion US dollar | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 1.54 billion US dollar | +40.7% |
| 1974 | 1.84 billion US dollar | +19.2% |
| 1975 | 1.80 billion US dollar | -2.0% |
| 1976 | 1.84 billion US dollar | +2.2% |
| 1977 | 2.45 billion US dollar | +33.0% |
| 1978 | 2.97 billion US dollar | +21.0% |
| 1979 | 3.29 billion US dollar | +11.0% |
| 1980 | 4.09 billion US dollar | +24.1% |
| 1981 | 4.72 billion US dollar | +15.5% |
| 1982 | 6.28 billion US dollar | +33.2% |
| 1983 | 6.60 billion US dollar | +5.1% |
| 1984 | 7.81 billion US dollar | +18.3% |
| 1985 | 8.23 billion US dollar | +5.3% |
| 1986 | 10.20 billion US dollar | +24.0% |
| 1987 | 12.69 billion US dollar | +24.3% |
| 1988 | 11.54 billion US dollar | -9.0% |
| 1989 | 12.62 billion US dollar | +9.4% |
| 1990 | 14.51 billion US dollar | +14.9% |
| 1991 | 15.60 billion US dollar | +7.5% |
| 1992 | 16.73 billion US dollar | +7.3% |
| 1993 | 16.65 billion US dollar | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 17.02 billion US dollar | +2.3% |
| 1995 | 21.10 billion US dollar | +23.9% |
| 1996 | 19.59 billion US dollar | -7.1% |
| 1997 | 18.16 billion US dollar | -7.3% |
| 1998 | 22.16 billion US dollar | +22.0% |
| 1999 | 27.02 billion US dollar | +21.9% |
| 2000 | 26.08 billion US dollar | -3.5% |
| 2001 | 13.23 billion US dollar | -49.3% |
| 2002 | 17.74 billion US dollar | +34.1% |
| 2003 | 22.36 billion US dollar | +26.1% |
| 2004 | 31.80 billion US dollar | +42.2% |
| 2005 | 28.31 billion US dollar | -11.0% |
| 2006 | 34.56 billion US dollar | +22.1% |
| 2007 | 48.61 billion US dollar | +40.7% |
| 2008 | 45.24 billion US dollar | -6.9% |
| 2009 | 64.59 billion US dollar | +42.8% |
| 2010 | 76.25 billion US dollar | +18.1% |
| 2011 | 88.58 billion US dollar | +16.2% |
| 2012 | 104.18 billion US dollar | +17.6% |
| 2013 | 121.43 billion US dollar | +16.6% |
| 2014 | 138.84 billion US dollar | +14.3% |
| 2015 | 147.51 billion US dollar | +6.2% |
| 2016 | 164.34 billion US dollar | +11.4% |
| 2017 | 257.17 billion US dollar | +56.5% |
| 2018 | 231.22 billion US dollar | -10.1% |
| 2019 | 202.57 billion US dollar | -12.4% |
| 2020 | 239.25 billion US dollar | +18.1% |
| 2021 | 212.50 billion US dollar | -11.2% |
| 2022 | 198.47 billion US dollar | -6.6% |
| 2023 | 141.39 billion US dollar | -28.8% |
| 2024 | 142.06 billion US dollar | +0.5% |
| 2025 | 174.24 billion US dollar | +22.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 174.24 billion US dollar is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.72 billion US dollar, 101.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 174.24 billion US dollar is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 165.27 million US dollar, 1054.3× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 274.99 million US dollar | 222.50 million US dollar | 328.56 million US dollar | 4 |
| 1960s | 617.19 million US dollar | 372.40 million US dollar | 927.37 million US dollar | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.89 billion US dollar | 1.02 billion US dollar | 3.29 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.48 billion US dollar | 4.09 billion US dollar | 12.69 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.85 billion US dollar | 14.51 billion US dollar | 27.02 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2000s | 33.25 billion US dollar | 13.23 billion US dollar | 64.59 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2010s | 153.21 billion US dollar | 76.25 billion US dollar | 257.17 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2020s | 184.65 billion US dollar | 141.39 billion US dollar | 239.25 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)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.01 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0094 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -61.95 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -2.16 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -192.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0051 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -33.37 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is direct investment, equity and investment fund shares in South Africa?
- Direct investment, equity and investment fund shares in South Africa was 174.24 billion US dollar in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest direct investment, equity and investment fund shares recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 257.17 billion US dollar in 2017.
- What is the lowest direct investment, equity and investment fund shares recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 222.50 million US dollar in 1956.
- How does South Africa rank for direct investment, equity and investment fund shares?
- South Africa ranks 30th out of 158 countries with data for 2025.
- Is direct investment, equity and investment fund shares rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.1%. 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, Equity and investment fund shares (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.