External balance on goods and services in South Africa
South Africa: External balance on goods and services was -64.88 billion constant LCU in 2025. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services in South Africa, 2015–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in constant LCU.
Analysis
South Africa recorded -64.88 billion constant LCU for external balance on goods and services in 2025.
That represents a change of down 259.2% on the previous year and down 12.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services in South Africa peaked at 1.70 billion constant LCU in 2021 and was at its lowest, -82.96 billion constant LCU, in 2022.
South Africa ranks 107th of 161 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.
External balance on goods and services in South Africa, year by year
| Year | constant LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | -57.44 billion constant LCU | — |
| 2016 | 562.20 million constant LCU | -101.0% |
| 2017 | -21.64 billion constant LCU | -3949.5% |
| 2018 | -31.36 billion constant LCU | +44.9% |
| 2019 | -80.27 billion constant LCU | +155.9% |
| 2020 | 1.69 billion constant LCU | -102.1% |
| 2021 | 1.70 billion constant LCU | +0.4% |
| 2022 | -82.96 billion constant LCU | -4979.7% |
| 2023 | -71.29 billion constant LCU | -14.1% |
| 2024 | -18.06 billion constant LCU | -74.7% |
| 2025 | -64.88 billion constant LCU | +259.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | -38.03 billion constant LCU | -80.27 billion constant LCU | 562.20 million constant LCU | 5 |
| 2020s | -38.97 billion constant LCU | -82.96 billion constant LCU | 1.70 billion 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)
- 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 external balance on goods and services in South Africa?
- External balance on goods and services in South Africa was -64.88 billion constant LCU in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.70 billion constant LCU in 2021.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -82.96 billion constant LCU in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for external balance on goods and services?
- South Africa ranks 107th out of 161 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.9%. 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 External balance on goods and services (constant LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The balance of international trade in goods and services is the difference between the exports and imports of goods and services. 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.