Final consumption expenditure in South Africa
South Africa: Final consumption expenditure was 361.93 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Final consumption expenditure in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for final consumption expenditure in South Africa is 361.93 billion current US$, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.6% on the previous year and up 26.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, final consumption expenditure in South Africa peaked at 371.73 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 5.99 billion current US$, in 1960.
That places South Africa 31st out of 188 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Final consumption expenditure in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 5.99 billion current US$ | — |
| 1961 | 6.22 billion current US$ | +3.9% |
| 1962 | 6.63 billion current US$ | +6.6% |
| 1963 | 7.19 billion current US$ | +8.3% |
| 1964 | 8.07 billion current US$ | +12.4% |
| 1965 | 8.72 billion current US$ | +8.0% |
| 1966 | 9.49 billion current US$ | +8.8% |
| 1967 | 10.32 billion current US$ | +8.8% |
| 1968 | 11.44 billion current US$ | +10.8% |
| 1969 | 12.96 billion current US$ | +13.3% |
| 1970 | 14.66 billion current US$ | +13.2% |
| 1971 | 16.58 billion current US$ | +13.1% |
| 1972 | 17.16 billion current US$ | +3.5% |
| 1973 | 22.16 billion current US$ | +29.1% |
| 1974 | 26.79 billion current US$ | +20.9% |
| 1975 | 30.03 billion current US$ | +12.1% |
| 1976 | 29.07 billion current US$ | -3.2% |
| 1977 | 31.81 billion current US$ | +9.4% |
| 1978 | 35.99 billion current US$ | +13.1% |
| 1979 | 43.21 billion current US$ | +20.1% |
| 1980 | 59.29 billion current US$ | +37.2% |
| 1981 | 65.16 billion current US$ | +9.9% |
| 1982 | 62.76 billion current US$ | -3.7% |
| 1983 | 71.07 billion current US$ | +13.2% |
| 1984 | 63.64 billion current US$ | -10.4% |
| 1985 | 48.01 billion current US$ | -24.6% |
| 1986 | 55.70 billion current US$ | +16.0% |
| 1987 | 75.45 billion current US$ | +35.5% |
| 1988 | 81.56 billion current US$ | +8.1% |
| 1989 | 83.96 billion current US$ | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 103.14 billion current US$ | +22.9% |
| 1991 | 111.31 billion current US$ | +7.9% |
| 1992 | 121.95 billion current US$ | +9.6% |
| 1993 | 120.61 billion current US$ | -1.1% |
| 1994 | 126.89 billion current US$ | +5.2% |
| 1995 | 139.50 billion current US$ | +9.9% |
| 1996 | 133.79 billion current US$ | -4.1% |
| 1997 | 139.90 billion current US$ | +4.6% |
| 1998 | 126.48 billion current US$ | -9.6% |
| 1999 | 125.54 billion current US$ | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 124.73 billion current US$ | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 110.97 billion current US$ | -11.0% |
| 2002 | 102.58 billion current US$ | -7.6% |
| 2003 | 155.19 billion current US$ | +51.3% |
| 2004 | 206.37 billion current US$ | +33.0% |
| 2005 | 230.35 billion current US$ | +11.6% |
| 2006 | 241.34 billion current US$ | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 264.31 billion current US$ | +9.5% |
| 2008 | 253.25 billion current US$ | -4.2% |
| 2009 | 263.14 billion current US$ | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 335.41 billion current US$ | +27.5% |
| 2011 | 371.73 billion current US$ | +10.8% |
| 2012 | 361.08 billion current US$ | -2.9% |
| 2013 | 332.53 billion current US$ | -7.9% |
| 2014 | 316.44 billion current US$ | -4.8% |
| 2015 | 286.61 billion current US$ | -9.4% |
| 2016 | 267.25 billion current US$ | -6.8% |
| 2017 | 313.72 billion current US$ | +17.4% |
| 2018 | 337.67 billion current US$ | +7.6% |
| 2019 | 325.76 billion current US$ | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 281.40 billion current US$ | -13.6% |
| 2021 | 339.96 billion current US$ | +20.8% |
| 2022 | 335.03 billion current US$ | -1.5% |
| 2023 | 318.02 billion current US$ | -5.1% |
| 2024 | 336.28 billion current US$ | +5.7% |
| 2025 | 361.93 billion current US$ | +7.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 361.93 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 47.37 billion current US$, 7.6× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 361.93 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 15.32 billion current US$, 23.6× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 8.70 billion current US$ | 5.99 billion current US$ | 12.96 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 26.75 billion current US$ | 14.66 billion current US$ | 43.21 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 66.66 billion current US$ | 48.01 billion current US$ | 83.96 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 124.91 billion current US$ | 103.14 billion current US$ | 139.90 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 195.22 billion current US$ | 102.58 billion current US$ | 264.31 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 324.82 billion current US$ | 267.25 billion current US$ | 371.73 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 328.77 billion current US$ | 281.40 billion current US$ | 361.93 billion current US$ | 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$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is final consumption expenditure in South Africa?
- Final consumption expenditure in South Africa was 361.93 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
- What is the highest final consumption expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 371.73 billion current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest final consumption expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.99 billion current US$ in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for final consumption expenditure?
- South Africa ranks 31st out of 188 countries with data for 2025.
- Is final consumption expenditure rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.3%. 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 Offices (NSOs), published as part of Final consumption expenditure (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Final consumption expenditure is expenditure on goods and services by resident institutional units for the direct satisfaction of human needs or wants, whether individual or collective. Final consumption expenditure can be measured for households, general government, the central bank and non-profit institutions serving households. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.