Gross national expenditure (current US$) in South Africa
South Africa: Gross national expenditure (current US$) was 421.18 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
421.18 billion current US$
Change on year
up 7.2%
World rank
38th
of 186 countries
All-time high
458.11 billion current US$
in 2011
All-time low
7.68 billion current US$
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Gross national expenditure in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross national expenditure in South Africa is 421.18 billion current US$, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.2% on the previous year and up 19.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross national expenditure in South Africa peaked at 458.11 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 7.68 billion current US$, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 38th of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross national expenditure (current US$) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7.68 billion current US$ | — |
| 1961 | 7.92 billion current US$ | +3.2% |
| 1962 | 8.35 billion current US$ | +5.4% |
| 1963 | 9.49 billion current US$ | +13.6% |
| 1964 | 10.75 billion current US$ | +13.3% |
| 1965 | 11.87 billion current US$ | +10.5% |
| 1966 | 12.62 billion current US$ | +6.2% |
| 1967 | 14.18 billion current US$ | +12.4% |
| 1968 | 15.30 billion current US$ | +7.9% |
| 1969 | 17.45 billion current US$ | +14.0% |
| 1970 | 20.02 billion current US$ | +14.8% |
| 1971 | 23.00 billion current US$ | +14.9% |
| 1972 | 22.96 billion current US$ | -0.2% |
| 1973 | 30.14 billion current US$ | +31.3% |
| 1974 | 38.06 billion current US$ | +26.3% |
| 1975 | 42.63 billion current US$ | +12.0% |
| 1976 | 40.46 billion current US$ | -5.1% |
| 1977 | 44.19 billion current US$ | +9.2% |
| 1978 | 48.75 billion current US$ | +10.3% |
| 1979 | 59.35 billion current US$ | +21.8% |
| 1980 | 85.83 billion current US$ | +44.6% |
| 1981 | 94.87 billion current US$ | +10.5% |
| 1982 | 84.08 billion current US$ | -11.4% |
| 1983 | 95.37 billion current US$ | +13.4% |
| 1984 | 83.84 billion current US$ | -12.1% |
| 1985 | 61.37 billion current US$ | -26.8% |
| 1986 | 70.23 billion current US$ | +14.4% |
| 1987 | 91.60 billion current US$ | +30.4% |
| 1988 | 102.21 billion current US$ | +11.6% |
| 1989 | 106.98 billion current US$ | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 126.12 billion current US$ | +17.9% |
| 1991 | 135.42 billion current US$ | +7.4% |
| 1992 | 145.04 billion current US$ | +7.1% |
| 1993 | 141.45 billion current US$ | -2.5% |
| 1994 | 152.17 billion current US$ | +7.6% |
| 1995 | 169.89 billion current US$ | +11.6% |
| 1996 | 160.84 billion current US$ | -5.3% |
| 1997 | 167.44 billion current US$ | +4.1% |
| 1998 | 151.61 billion current US$ | -9.5% |
| 1999 | 149.26 billion current US$ | -1.5% |
| 2000 | 147.58 billion current US$ | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 130.70 billion current US$ | -11.4% |
| 2002 | 121.98 billion current US$ | -6.7% |
| 2003 | 186.04 billion current US$ | +52.5% |
| 2004 | 249.76 billion current US$ | +34.3% |
| 2005 | 278.97 billion current US$ | +11.7% |
| 2006 | 297.53 billion current US$ | +6.7% |
| 2007 | 328.68 billion current US$ | +10.5% |
| 2008 | 320.55 billion current US$ | -2.5% |
| 2009 | 325.02 billion current US$ | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 408.85 billion current US$ | +25.8% |
| 2011 | 458.11 billion current US$ | +12.1% |
| 2012 | 441.81 billion current US$ | -3.6% |
| 2013 | 409.37 billion current US$ | -7.3% |
| 2014 | 386.91 billion current US$ | -5.5% |
| 2015 | 351.21 billion current US$ | -9.2% |
| 2016 | 322.13 billion current US$ | -8.3% |
| 2017 | 377.08 billion current US$ | +17.1% |
| 2018 | 403.20 billion current US$ | +6.9% |
| 2019 | 387.36 billion current US$ | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 323.13 billion current US$ | -16.6% |
| 2021 | 393.87 billion current US$ | +21.9% |
| 2022 | 398.91 billion current US$ | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 376.73 billion current US$ | -5.6% |
| 2024 | 392.72 billion current US$ | +4.2% |
| 2025 | 421.18 billion current US$ | +7.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 421.18 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 60.77 billion current US$, 6.9× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 421.18 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 21.21 billion current US$, 19.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 11.56 billion current US$ | 7.68 billion current US$ | 17.45 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 36.96 billion current US$ | 20.02 billion current US$ | 59.35 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 87.64 billion current US$ | 61.37 billion current US$ | 106.98 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 149.92 billion current US$ | 126.12 billion current US$ | 169.89 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 238.68 billion current US$ | 121.98 billion current US$ | 328.68 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 394.60 billion current US$ | 322.13 billion current US$ | 458.11 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 384.42 billion current US$ | 323.13 billion current US$ | 421.18 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)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, annual growth rate 6.87 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0145 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per capita 95.75 units per person (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, annual growth rate 1.77 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0106 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per capita 69.91 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, annual growth rate -28.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0077 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross national expenditure in South Africa?
- Gross national expenditure in South Africa was 421.18 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest gross national expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 458.11 billion current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest gross national expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.68 billion current US$ in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for gross national expenditure?
- South Africa ranks 38th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is gross national expenditure rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.9%. 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 Gross national expenditure (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gross national expenditure is the sum of household final consumption expenditure, general government final consumption expenditure, and gross capital formation. 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.