Exports as a capacity to import in South Africa
South Africa: Exports as a capacity to import was 1.41 trillion constant LCU in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1.41 trillion constant LCU
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
60th
of 179 countries
All-time high
1.47 trillion constant LCU
in 2021
All-time low
184.24 billion constant LCU
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Exports as a capacity to import in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in constant LCU.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.41 trillion constant LCU for exports as a capacity to import in 2025.
The figure is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 15.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exports as a capacity to import in South Africa peaked at 1.47 trillion constant LCU in 2021 and was at its lowest, 184.24 billion constant LCU, in 1960.
That places South Africa 60th out of 179 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Exports as a capacity to import in South Africa, year by year
| Year | constant LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 184.24 billion constant LCU | — |
| 1961 | 191.36 billion constant LCU | +3.9% |
| 1962 | 200.35 billion constant LCU | +4.7% |
| 1963 | 207.61 billion constant LCU | +3.6% |
| 1964 | 223.60 billion constant LCU | +7.7% |
| 1965 | 219.17 billion constant LCU | -2.0% |
| 1966 | 222.62 billion constant LCU | +1.6% |
| 1967 | 240.54 billion constant LCU | +8.1% |
| 1968 | 266.26 billion constant LCU | +10.7% |
| 1969 | 271.54 billion constant LCU | +2.0% |
| 1970 | 262.62 billion constant LCU | -3.3% |
| 1971 | 281.93 billion constant LCU | +7.4% |
| 1972 | 326.39 billion constant LCU | +15.8% |
| 1973 | 364.11 billion constant LCU | +11.6% |
| 1974 | 381.23 billion constant LCU | +4.7% |
| 1975 | 345.37 billion constant LCU | -9.4% |
| 1976 | 324.23 billion constant LCU | -6.1% |
| 1977 | 350.26 billion constant LCU | +8.0% |
| 1978 | 369.06 billion constant LCU | +5.4% |
| 1979 | 395.84 billion constant LCU | +7.3% |
| 1980 | 446.22 billion constant LCU | +12.7% |
| 1981 | 366.34 billion constant LCU | -17.9% |
| 1982 | 319.17 billion constant LCU | -12.9% |
| 1983 | 320.26 billion constant LCU | +0.3% |
| 1984 | 350.89 billion constant LCU | +9.6% |
| 1985 | 389.93 billion constant LCU | +11.1% |
| 1986 | 383.77 billion constant LCU | -1.6% |
| 1987 | 420.63 billion constant LCU | +9.6% |
| 1988 | 443.70 billion constant LCU | +5.5% |
| 1989 | 431.70 billion constant LCU | -2.7% |
| 1990 | 420.70 billion constant LCU | -2.5% |
| 1991 | 413.99 billion constant LCU | -1.6% |
| 1992 | 432.29 billion constant LCU | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 473.18 billion constant LCU | +9.5% |
| 1994 | 484.56 billion constant LCU | +2.4% |
| 1995 | 524.12 billion constant LCU | +8.2% |
| 1996 | 589.32 billion constant LCU | +12.4% |
| 1997 | 611.33 billion constant LCU | +3.7% |
| 1998 | 621.98 billion constant LCU | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 606.71 billion constant LCU | -2.5% |
| 2000 | 641.70 billion constant LCU | +5.8% |
| 2001 | 664.38 billion constant LCU | +3.5% |
| 2002 | 688.00 billion constant LCU | +3.6% |
| 2003 | 718.03 billion constant LCU | +4.4% |
| 2004 | 752.08 billion constant LCU | +4.7% |
| 2005 | 830.58 billion constant LCU | +10.4% |
| 2006 | 935.42 billion constant LCU | +12.6% |
| 2007 | 1.04 trillion constant LCU | +11.2% |
| 2008 | 1.07 trillion constant LCU | +2.6% |
| 2009 | 932.28 billion constant LCU | -12.6% |
| 2010 | 1.07 trillion constant LCU | +14.3% |
| 2011 | 1.17 trillion constant LCU | +9.8% |
| 2012 | 1.13 trillion constant LCU | -3.6% |
| 2013 | 1.14 trillion constant LCU | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 1.16 trillion constant LCU | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 1.23 trillion constant LCU | +5.5% |
| 2016 | 1.25 trillion constant LCU | +2.0% |
| 2017 | 1.30 trillion constant LCU | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 1.32 trillion constant LCU | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 1.32 trillion constant LCU | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 1.27 trillion constant LCU | -3.8% |
| 2021 | 1.47 trillion constant LCU | +15.2% |
| 2022 | 1.44 trillion constant LCU | -1.7% |
| 2023 | 1.44 trillion constant LCU | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 1.40 trillion constant LCU | -2.8% |
| 2025 | 1.41 trillion constant LCU | +1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 222.73 billion constant LCU | 184.24 billion constant LCU | 271.54 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1970s | 340.10 billion constant LCU | 262.62 billion constant LCU | 395.84 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 387.26 billion constant LCU | 319.17 billion constant LCU | 446.22 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 517.82 billion constant LCU | 413.99 billion constant LCU | 621.98 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 826.89 billion constant LCU | 641.70 billion constant LCU | 1.07 trillion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.21 trillion constant LCU | 1.07 trillion constant LCU | 1.32 trillion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.41 trillion constant LCU | 1.27 trillion constant LCU | 1.47 trillion constant LCU | 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)
- Imports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 1.14 % change on previous year (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.244 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per capita 1,610 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- External balance on goods and services (current US$), annual growth 4.97 % change on previous year (2025)
- External balance on goods and services (current LCU), annual growth 2.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current LCU), annual 4.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current LCU), per 0.5058 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current LCU), per 3,337 current LCU per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exports as a capacity to import in South Africa?
- Exports as a capacity to import in South Africa was 1.41 trillion constant LCU in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest exports as a capacity to import recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.47 trillion constant LCU in 2021.
- What is the lowest exports as a capacity to import recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 184.24 billion constant LCU in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for exports as a capacity to import?
- South Africa ranks 60th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is exports as a capacity to import rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of Exports as a capacity to import (constant LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Exports as a capacity to import equals the current price value of exports of goods and services deflated by the import price index. This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment varies by country. This series is expressed in local currency units.