Gross capital formation in South Africa
South Africa: Gross capital formation was 59.26 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
59.26 billion current US$
Change on year
up 5.0%
World rank
50th
of 187 countries
All-time high
86.39 billion current US$
in 2011
All-time low
1.69 billion current US$
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Gross capital formation in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 59.26 billion current US$ for gross capital formation in 2025.
The figure is up 5.0% on the previous year and down 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross capital formation in South Africa peaked at 86.39 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 1.69 billion current US$, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 50th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross capital formation in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.69 billion current US$ | — |
| 1961 | 1.70 billion current US$ | +0.7% |
| 1962 | 1.72 billion current US$ | +0.9% |
| 1963 | 2.30 billion current US$ | +34.0% |
| 1964 | 2.68 billion current US$ | +16.1% |
| 1965 | 3.16 billion current US$ | +17.9% |
| 1966 | 3.13 billion current US$ | -0.8% |
| 1967 | 3.85 billion current US$ | +23.1% |
| 1968 | 3.86 billion current US$ | +0.2% |
| 1969 | 4.49 billion current US$ | +16.3% |
| 1970 | 5.36 billion current US$ | +19.5% |
| 1971 | 6.42 billion current US$ | +19.6% |
| 1972 | 5.80 billion current US$ | -9.6% |
| 1973 | 7.98 billion current US$ | +37.7% |
| 1974 | 11.27 billion current US$ | +41.2% |
| 1975 | 12.59 billion current US$ | +11.8% |
| 1976 | 11.39 billion current US$ | -9.6% |
| 1977 | 12.38 billion current US$ | +8.7% |
| 1978 | 12.76 billion current US$ | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 16.14 billion current US$ | +26.5% |
| 1980 | 26.54 billion current US$ | +64.4% |
| 1981 | 29.72 billion current US$ | +12.0% |
| 1982 | 21.32 billion current US$ | -28.3% |
| 1983 | 24.31 billion current US$ | +14.0% |
| 1984 | 20.20 billion current US$ | -16.9% |
| 1985 | 13.36 billion current US$ | -33.9% |
| 1986 | 14.53 billion current US$ | +8.8% |
| 1987 | 16.14 billion current US$ | +11.1% |
| 1988 | 20.65 billion current US$ | +27.9% |
| 1989 | 23.03 billion current US$ | +11.5% |
| 1990 | 22.98 billion current US$ | -0.2% |
| 1991 | 24.11 billion current US$ | +4.9% |
| 1992 | 23.09 billion current US$ | -4.2% |
| 1993 | 20.84 billion current US$ | -9.7% |
| 1994 | 25.28 billion current US$ | +21.3% |
| 1995 | 30.40 billion current US$ | +20.2% |
| 1996 | 27.05 billion current US$ | -11.0% |
| 1997 | 27.53 billion current US$ | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 25.13 billion current US$ | -8.7% |
| 1999 | 23.72 billion current US$ | -5.6% |
| 2000 | 22.85 billion current US$ | -3.6% |
| 2001 | 19.74 billion current US$ | -13.6% |
| 2002 | 19.41 billion current US$ | -1.7% |
| 2003 | 30.85 billion current US$ | +58.9% |
| 2004 | 43.39 billion current US$ | +40.6% |
| 2005 | 48.62 billion current US$ | +12.1% |
| 2006 | 56.18 billion current US$ | +15.6% |
| 2007 | 64.37 billion current US$ | +14.6% |
| 2008 | 67.30 billion current US$ | +4.5% |
| 2009 | 61.88 billion current US$ | -8.0% |
| 2010 | 73.44 billion current US$ | +18.7% |
| 2011 | 86.39 billion current US$ | +17.6% |
| 2012 | 80.73 billion current US$ | -6.5% |
| 2013 | 76.84 billion current US$ | -4.8% |
| 2014 | 70.48 billion current US$ | -8.3% |
| 2015 | 64.60 billion current US$ | -8.3% |
| 2016 | 54.88 billion current US$ | -15.0% |
| 2017 | 63.36 billion current US$ | +15.5% |
| 2018 | 65.53 billion current US$ | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 61.60 billion current US$ | -6.0% |
| 2020 | 41.72 billion current US$ | -32.3% |
| 2021 | 53.91 billion current US$ | +29.2% |
| 2022 | 63.88 billion current US$ | +18.5% |
| 2023 | 58.71 billion current US$ | -8.1% |
| 2024 | 56.44 billion current US$ | -3.9% |
| 2025 | 59.26 billion current US$ | +5.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 59.26 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11.53 billion current US$, 5.1× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 59.26 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.76 billion current US$, 12.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.86 billion current US$ | 1.69 billion current US$ | 4.49 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 10.21 billion current US$ | 5.36 billion current US$ | 16.14 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 20.98 billion current US$ | 13.36 billion current US$ | 29.72 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 25.01 billion current US$ | 20.84 billion current US$ | 30.40 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 43.46 billion current US$ | 19.41 billion current US$ | 67.30 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 69.78 billion current US$ | 54.88 billion current US$ | 86.39 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 55.65 billion current US$ | 41.72 billion current US$ | 63.88 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$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross capital formation in South Africa?
- Gross capital formation in South Africa was 59.26 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest gross capital formation recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 86.39 billion current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest gross capital formation recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.69 billion current US$ in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for gross capital formation?
- South Africa ranks 50th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is gross capital formation rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.3%. 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 Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of Gross capital formation (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gross capital formation includes acquisitions less disposals of produced assets for purposes of fixed capital formation, inventories or valuables. 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.