Central government revenues as a share of GDP in South Africa
South Africa: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 29.4% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
29.4%
Change on year
down 1.8%
World rank
57th
of 157 countries
All-time high
30.0%
in 2021
All-time low
17.5%
in 1972
Years of data
53
1972–2024
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in South Africa, 1972–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2024, central government revenues as a share of gdp in South Africa stood at 29.4%.
That represents a change of down 1.8% on the previous year and up 1.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in South Africa peaked at 30.0% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 17.5%, in 1972.
That places South Africa 57th out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 53 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 17.5% | — |
| 1973 | 18.1% | +3.7% |
| 1974 | 18.2% | +0.3% |
| 1975 | 18.9% | +3.8% |
| 1976 | 18.6% | -1.2% |
| 1977 | 19.3% | +3.4% |
| 1978 | 19.9% | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 20.2% | +1.5% |
| 1980 | 20.7% | +2.4% |
| 1981 | 19.6% | -5.1% |
| 1982 | 20.6% | +4.9% |
| 1983 | 20.3% | -1.4% |
| 1984 | 21.1% | +4.2% |
| 1985 | 23.1% | +9.1% |
| 1986 | 22.5% | -2.3% |
| 1987 | 21.9% | -2.7% |
| 1988 | 22.7% | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 25.5% | +12.2% |
| 1990 | 23.4% | -8.2% |
| 1991 | 22.7% | -3.0% |
| 1992 | 20.9% | -7.7% |
| 1993 | 21.6% | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 21.3% | -1.4% |
| 1995 | 22.0% | +3.3% |
| 1996 | 23.0% | +4.3% |
| 1997 | 23.1% | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 23.6% | +2.4% |
| 1999 | 24.1% | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 23.1% | -4.2% |
| 2001 | 24.0% | +4.0% |
| 2002 | 22.7% | -5.4% |
| 2003 | 22.7% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 24.1% | +6.1% |
| 2005 | 25.7% | +6.8% |
| 2006 | 26.9% | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 27.3% | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 26.9% | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 25.0% | -7.0% |
| 2010 | 25.5% | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 26.0% | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 26.5% | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 27.4% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 28.9% | +5.3% |
| 2015 | 29.6% | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 29.0% | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 28.9% | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 28.4% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 28.9% | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 27.8% | -3.8% |
| 2021 | 30.0% | +8.0% |
| 2022 | 30.0% | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 29.9% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 29.4% | -1.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 29.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 25.7%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 29.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 15.8%, 1.9× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 18.8% | 17.5% | 20.2% | 8 |
| 1980s | 21.8% | 19.6% | 25.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 22.6% | 20.9% | 24.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 24.8% | 22.7% | 27.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 27.9% | 25.5% | 29.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 29.4% | 27.8% | 30.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 54 Spain 29.7% compare
- 55 Seychelles 29.5% compare
- 56 Republic of Moldova 29.4% compare
- 58 Germany 29.4% compare
- 59 Georgia 28.7% compare
- 60 Saint Kitts and Nevis 28.5% 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 central government revenues as a share of gdp in South Africa?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in South Africa was 29.4% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 30.0% in 2021.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.5% in 1972.
- How does South Africa rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- South Africa ranks 57th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.