Imports of goods and services in South Africa
South Africa: Imports of goods and services was 1.33 trillion constant LCU in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1.33 trillion constant LCU
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
64th
of 179 countries
All-time high
1.40 trillion constant LCU
in 2023
All-time low
138.99 billion constant LCU
in 1961
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Imports of goods and services in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in constant LCU.
Analysis
In 2025, imports of goods and services in South Africa stood at 1.33 trillion constant LCU.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, imports of goods and services in South Africa peaked at 1.40 trillion constant LCU in 2023 and was at its lowest, 138.99 billion constant LCU, in 1961.
South Africa ranks 64th of 179 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.
Imports of goods and services in South Africa, year by year
| Year | constant LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 153.13 billion constant LCU | — |
| 1961 | 138.99 billion constant LCU | -9.2% |
| 1962 | 140.75 billion constant LCU | +1.3% |
| 1963 | 168.26 billion constant LCU | +19.5% |
| 1964 | 207.98 billion constant LCU | +23.6% |
| 1965 | 228.33 billion constant LCU | +9.8% |
| 1966 | 203.76 billion constant LCU | -10.8% |
| 1967 | 237.16 billion constant LCU | +16.4% |
| 1968 | 234.44 billion constant LCU | -1.1% |
| 1969 | 265.24 billion constant LCU | +13.1% |
| 1970 | 305.18 billion constant LCU | +15.1% |
| 1971 | 335.96 billion constant LCU | +10.1% |
| 1972 | 293.78 billion constant LCU | -12.6% |
| 1973 | 326.80 billion constant LCU | +11.2% |
| 1974 | 388.92 billion constant LCU | +19.0% |
| 1975 | 376.13 billion constant LCU | -3.3% |
| 1976 | 338.51 billion constant LCU | -10.0% |
| 1977 | 292.21 billion constant LCU | -13.7% |
| 1978 | 292.48 billion constant LCU | +0.1% |
| 1979 | 289.67 billion constant LCU | -1.0% |
| 1980 | 344.93 billion constant LCU | +19.1% |
| 1981 | 392.31 billion constant LCU | +13.7% |
| 1982 | 324.18 billion constant LCU | -17.4% |
| 1983 | 272.01 billion constant LCU | -16.1% |
| 1984 | 325.86 billion constant LCU | +19.8% |
| 1985 | 280.12 billion constant LCU | -14.0% |
| 1986 | 273.25 billion constant LCU | -2.5% |
| 1987 | 282.80 billion constant LCU | +3.5% |
| 1988 | 344.76 billion constant LCU | +21.9% |
| 1989 | 345.86 billion constant LCU | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 325.67 billion constant LCU | -5.8% |
| 1991 | 332.65 billion constant LCU | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 350.44 billion constant LCU | +5.3% |
| 1993 | 375.03 billion constant LCU | +7.0% |
| 1994 | 435.38 billion constant LCU | +16.1% |
| 1995 | 508.49 billion constant LCU | +16.8% |
| 1996 | 552.78 billion constant LCU | +8.7% |
| 1997 | 582.55 billion constant LCU | +5.4% |
| 1998 | 594.28 billion constant LCU | +2.0% |
| 1999 | 544.59 billion constant LCU | -8.4% |
| 2000 | 573.65 billion constant LCU | +5.3% |
| 2001 | 575.09 billion constant LCU | +0.2% |
| 2002 | 605.80 billion constant LCU | +5.3% |
| 2003 | 654.78 billion constant LCU | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 756.33 billion constant LCU | +15.5% |
| 2005 | 838.61 billion constant LCU | +10.9% |
| 2006 | 991.75 billion constant LCU | +18.3% |
| 2007 | 1.08 trillion constant LCU | +9.4% |
| 2008 | 1.12 trillion constant LCU | +2.8% |
| 2009 | 918.18 billion constant LCU | -17.7% |
| 2010 | 1.02 trillion constant LCU | +10.8% |
| 2011 | 1.14 trillion constant LCU | +11.8% |
| 2012 | 1.18 trillion constant LCU | +3.9% |
| 2013 | 1.23 trillion constant LCU | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 1.22 trillion constant LCU | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 1.28 trillion constant LCU | +5.0% |
| 2016 | 1.23 trillion constant LCU | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 1.25 trillion constant LCU | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 1.29 trillion constant LCU | +3.5% |
| 2019 | 1.30 trillion constant LCU | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 1.07 trillion constant LCU | -17.6% |
| 2021 | 1.17 trillion constant LCU | +9.7% |
| 2022 | 1.35 trillion constant LCU | +15.0% |
| 2023 | 1.40 trillion constant LCU | +3.9% |
| 2024 | 1.31 trillion constant LCU | -6.4% |
| 2025 | 1.33 trillion constant LCU | +1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 197.80 billion constant LCU | 138.99 billion constant LCU | 265.24 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1970s | 323.96 billion constant LCU | 289.67 billion constant LCU | 388.92 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 318.61 billion constant LCU | 272.01 billion constant LCU | 392.31 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 460.18 billion constant LCU | 325.67 billion constant LCU | 594.28 billion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 811.39 billion constant LCU | 573.65 billion constant LCU | 1.12 trillion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.21 trillion constant LCU | 1.02 trillion constant LCU | 1.30 trillion constant LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.27 trillion constant LCU | 1.07 trillion constant LCU | 1.40 trillion constant LCU | 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 imports of goods and services in South Africa?
- Imports of goods and services in South Africa was 1.33 trillion constant LCU in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
- What is the highest imports of goods and services recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.40 trillion constant LCU in 2023.
- What is the lowest imports of goods and services recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 138.99 billion constant LCU in 1961.
- How does South Africa rank for imports of goods and services?
- South Africa ranks 64th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is imports of goods and services rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. 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 Offices (NSOs), published as part of Imports of goods and services (constant LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Imports of goods includes change in the economic ownership of goods from non-residents to residents of the compiling economy, irrespective of physical movement of goods across national borders. Imports of services includes services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment varies by country. This series is expressed in local currency units.