Gross national expenditure in South Africa
South Africa: Gross national expenditure 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 185 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$, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 38th of 185 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross national expenditure in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | 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% |
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)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current US$), annual growth 6.34 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.8998 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current US$), per capita 5,937 current US$ per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), annual growth 3.79 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per unit of GDP 16.1 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per capita 106,203 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), annual 1.18 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per unit 0.7819 constant 2015 US$ 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 185 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.