Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP in South Africa
South Africa: Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP was 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP
Change on year
down 3.6%
World rank
93rd
of 193 countries
All-time high
6.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP
in 2023
All-time low
0.1314 current LCU per US$ of GDP
in 1970
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in current LCU per US$ of GDP.
Analysis
In 2025, exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp in South Africa stood at 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.6% on the previous year and up 59.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp in South Africa peaked at 6.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.1314 current LCU per US$ of GDP, in 1970.
South Africa ranks 93rd of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current LCU per US$ of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 0.1828 current LCU per US$ of GDP | — |
| 1961 | 0.181 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -1.0% |
| 1962 | 0.1819 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +0.5% |
| 1963 | 0.1774 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -2.4% |
| 1964 | 0.17 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -4.2% |
| 1965 | 0.1592 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -6.4% |
| 1966 | 0.157 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -1.4% |
| 1967 | 0.1528 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -2.6% |
| 1968 | 0.1568 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +2.6% |
| 1969 | 0.1432 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -8.7% |
| 1970 | 0.1314 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -8.2% |
| 1971 | 0.1322 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +0.5% |
| 1972 | 0.165 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +24.8% |
| 1973 | 0.1505 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -8.8% |
| 1974 | 0.1641 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +9.1% |
| 1975 | 0.1763 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +7.4% |
| 1976 | 0.2079 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +17.9% |
| 1977 | 0.2286 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +9.9% |
| 1978 | 0.2472 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +8.1% |
| 1979 | 0.2631 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +6.4% |
| 1980 | 0.2482 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -5.6% |
| 1981 | 0.2212 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -10.9% |
| 1982 | 0.2539 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +14.8% |
| 1983 | 0.2425 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -4.5% |
| 1984 | 0.3319 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +36.9% |
| 1985 | 0.6219 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +87.4% |
| 1986 | 0.6226 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +0.1% |
| 1987 | 0.5475 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -12.1% |
| 1988 | 0.5866 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +7.1% |
| 1989 | 0.6218 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +6.0% |
| 1990 | 0.5573 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -10.4% |
| 1991 | 0.5341 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -4.2% |
| 1992 | 0.5406 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 0.6507 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +20.4% |
| 1994 | 0.6942 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +6.7% |
| 1995 | 0.7268 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 0.9362 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +28.8% |
| 1997 | 0.9981 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +6.6% |
| 1998 | 1.24 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +24.7% |
| 1999 | 1.36 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +9.3% |
| 2000 | 1.69 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +24.5% |
| 2001 | 2.27 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +34.0% |
| 2002 | 3 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +32.1% |
| 2003 | 1.81 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -39.6% |
| 2004 | 1.47 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -18.7% |
| 2005 | 1.5 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 1.77 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +17.8% |
| 2007 | 1.97 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +11.5% |
| 2008 | 2.66 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +35.3% |
| 2009 | 2.12 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -20.6% |
| 2010 | 1.89 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -10.8% |
| 2011 | 2.01 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +6.5% |
| 2012 | 2.23 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +10.8% |
| 2013 | 2.74 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +22.9% |
| 2014 | 3.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +14.8% |
| 2015 | 3.53 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +12.4% |
| 2016 | 4.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +17.2% |
| 2017 | 3.64 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -12.1% |
| 2018 | 3.64 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 3.93 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +8.0% |
| 2020 | 4.54 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +15.5% |
| 2021 | 4.61 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 5.49 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +19.0% |
| 2023 | 6.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP | +11.8% |
| 2024 | 5.83 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -5.0% |
| 2025 | 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP | -3.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP, 1.0× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 76.17 current LCU per US$ of GDP, 7% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0.1662 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.1432 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.1828 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.1866 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.1314 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.2631 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.4298 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.2212 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.6226 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.8243 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 0.5341 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 1.36 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.03 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 1.47 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 3 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.09 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 1.89 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 4.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.37 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 4.54 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 6.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 90 Namibia 7.99 current LCU per US$ of GDP compare
- 91 Mexico 7.63 current LCU per US$ of GDP compare
- 92 Macau, China 7.41 current LCU per US$ of GDP compare
- 94 Republic of Moldova 5.52 current LCU per US$ of GDP compare
- 95 Sweden 5.23 current LCU per US$ of GDP compare
- 96 Ghana 4.98 current LCU per US$ of GDP compare
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$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp in South Africa?
- Exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp in South Africa was 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.14 current LCU per US$ of GDP in 2023.
- What is the lowest exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1314 current LCU per US$ of GDP in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp?
- South Africa ranks 93rd out of 193 countries with data for 2025.
- Is exports of goods and services (current lcu), per unit of gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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How this figure is calculated
Exports of goods and services (current LCU) divided by GDP (current US$), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Exports of goods and services (current LCU) ÷ GDP (current US$)
Computed from
- Exports of goods and services Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks
- GDP Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Exports of goods and services (current LCU) divided by GDP (current US$), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.