Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South Africa
South Africa: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 2,469 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2,469 for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in 2024.
The figure is down 28.9% on the previous year and down 57.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South Africa peaked at 40,215 in 2021 and was at its lowest, -78.46, in 1990.
That places South Africa 74th out of 222 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | -78.46 | — |
| 1991 | 248.07 | -416.2% |
| 1992 | 3.51 | -98.6% |
| 1993 | 10.1 | +188.0% |
| 1994 | 379.63 | +3659.2% |
| 1995 | 1,241 | +227.0% |
| 1996 | 817.57 | -34.1% |
| 1997 | 3,817 | +366.8% |
| 1998 | 561.48 | -85.3% |
| 1999 | 1,503 | +167.7% |
| 2000 | 887.34 | -41.0% |
| 2001 | 6,784 | +664.5% |
| 2002 | 1,569 | -76.9% |
| 2003 | 733.67 | -53.2% |
| 2004 | 798.03 | +8.8% |
| 2005 | 6,647 | +732.9% |
| 2006 | 311.45 | -95.3% |
| 2007 | 6,538 | +1999.2% |
| 2008 | 9,209 | +40.9% |
| 2009 | 7,502 | -18.5% |
| 2010 | 3,636 | -51.5% |
| 2011 | 4,243 | +16.7% |
| 2012 | 4,559 | +7.4% |
| 2013 | 8,300 | +82.1% |
| 2014 | 5,771 | -30.5% |
| 2015 | 1,729 | -70.0% |
| 2016 | 2,235 | +29.2% |
| 2017 | 2,008 | -10.1% |
| 2018 | 5,450 | +171.3% |
| 2019 | 5,125 | -6.0% |
| 2020 | 3,062 | -40.2% |
| 2021 | 40,215 | +1213.2% |
| 2022 | 9,280 | -76.9% |
| 2023 | 3,475 | -62.6% |
| 2024 | 2,469 | -28.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2,469 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 926.87, 2.7× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2,469 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 596.7, 4.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +3659.2% | 10.1 | 379.63 |
| 2007 | +1999.2% | 311.45 | 6,538 |
| 2021 | +1213.2% | 3,062 | 40,215 |
| 2005 | +732.9% | 798.03 | 6,647 |
| 2001 | +664.5% | 887.34 | 6,784 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 850.3 | -78.46 | 3,817 | 10 |
| 2000s | 4,098 | 311.45 | 9,209 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,306 | 1,729 | 8,300 | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,700 | 2,469 | 40,215 | 5 |
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 foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South Africa?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in South Africa was 2,469 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 40,215 in 2021.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -78.46 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- South Africa ranks 74th out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 57.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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