Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa
South Africa: Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) was -1.93 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa is -1.93 billion current US$, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 22.7% on the previous year and up 25.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa peaked at 143.81 million current US$ in 1980 and was at its lowest, -3.82 billion current US$, in 2012.
That places South Africa 171st out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.40 million current US$ | — |
| 1961 | 2.80 million current US$ | +100.0% |
| 1962 | 9.80 million current US$ | +250.0% |
| 1963 | 7.00 million current US$ | -28.6% |
| 1964 | 15.40 million current US$ | +120.0% |
| 1965 | 21.00 million current US$ | +36.4% |
| 1966 | 22.40 million current US$ | +6.7% |
| 1967 | 26.60 million current US$ | +18.8% |
| 1968 | 47.60 million current US$ | +78.9% |
| 1969 | 29.40 million current US$ | -38.2% |
| 1970 | 7.00 million current US$ | -76.2% |
| 1971 | -2.80 million current US$ | -139.9% |
| 1972 | -10.41 million current US$ | +272.2% |
| 1973 | -54.76 million current US$ | +426.2% |
| 1974 | 1.47 million current US$ | -102.7% |
| 1975 | 47.33 million current US$ | +3115.9% |
| 1976 | 23.00 million current US$ | -51.4% |
| 1977 | 2.30 million current US$ | -90.0% |
| 1978 | 6.90 million current US$ | +200.0% |
| 1979 | 27.32 million current US$ | +295.9% |
| 1980 | 143.81 million current US$ | +426.5% |
| 1981 | 100.28 million current US$ | -30.3% |
| 1982 | 20.26 million current US$ | -79.8% |
| 1983 | -201.96 million current US$ | -1096.8% |
| 1984 | -241.99 million current US$ | +19.8% |
| 1985 | -174.09 million current US$ | -28.1% |
| 1986 | -36.76 million current US$ | -78.9% |
| 1987 | -284.38 million current US$ | +673.6% |
| 1988 | -243.68 million current US$ | -14.3% |
| 1989 | -210.85 million current US$ | -13.5% |
| 1990 | -320.02 million current US$ | +51.8% |
| 1991 | -513.52 million current US$ | +60.5% |
| 1992 | -365.36 million current US$ | -28.9% |
| 1993 | -640.20 million current US$ | +75.2% |
| 1994 | -608.31 million current US$ | -5.0% |
| 1995 | -645.42 million current US$ | +6.1% |
| 1996 | -746.62 million current US$ | +15.7% |
| 1997 | -722.23 million current US$ | -3.3% |
| 1998 | -740.37 million current US$ | +2.5% |
| 1999 | -926.76 million current US$ | +25.2% |
| 2000 | -925.38 million current US$ | -0.1% |
| 2001 | -726.78 million current US$ | -21.5% |
| 2002 | -554.42 million current US$ | -23.7% |
| 2003 | -988.53 million current US$ | +78.3% |
| 2004 | -1.68 billion current US$ | +70.2% |
| 2005 | -2.47 billion current US$ | +46.5% |
| 2006 | -2.33 billion current US$ | -5.6% |
| 2007 | -2.35 billion current US$ | +1.0% |
| 2008 | -2.29 billion current US$ | -2.7% |
| 2009 | -2.65 billion current US$ | +15.7% |
| 2010 | -2.29 billion current US$ | -13.5% |
| 2011 | -1.96 billion current US$ | -14.6% |
| 2012 | -3.82 billion current US$ | +95.4% |
| 2013 | -3.18 billion current US$ | -16.8% |
| 2014 | -3.16 billion current US$ | -0.7% |
| 2015 | -2.60 billion current US$ | -17.7% |
| 2016 | -1.83 billion current US$ | -29.7% |
| 2017 | -2.82 billion current US$ | +54.5% |
| 2018 | -2.61 billion current US$ | -7.3% |
| 2019 | -2.39 billion current US$ | -8.4% |
| 2020 | -2.56 billion current US$ | +7.1% |
| 2021 | -2.42 billion current US$ | -5.6% |
| 2022 | -1.54 billion current US$ | -36.2% |
| 2023 | -2.16 billion current US$ | +40.0% |
| 2024 | -2.50 billion current US$ | +15.7% |
| 2025 | -1.93 billion current US$ | -22.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 18.34 million current US$ | 1.40 million current US$ | 47.60 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.74 million current US$ | -54.76 million current US$ | 47.33 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | -112.94 million current US$ | -284.38 million current US$ | 143.81 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | -622.88 million current US$ | -926.76 million current US$ | -320.02 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | -1.70 billion current US$ | -2.65 billion current US$ | -554.42 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | -2.66 billion current US$ | -3.82 billion current US$ | -1.83 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | -2.19 billion current US$ | -2.56 billion current US$ | -1.54 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)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) -1.57 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 0.1684 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 1,111 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant LCU), annual -1.57 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant LCU), per 2.15 constant LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant LCU), per 14,168 constant LCU per person (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), annual growth rate 6.62 % change on previous year (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.6307 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa?
- Net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) in South Africa was -1.93 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
- What is the highest net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 143.81 million current US$ in 1980.
- What is the lowest net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -3.82 billion current US$ in 2012.
- How does South Africa rank for net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad)?
- South Africa ranks 171st out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net secondary income (net current transfers from abroad) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.5%. 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 Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Net secondary income (from abroad) comprises transfers of income between residents of the reporting country and the rest of the world that carry no provisions for repayment. Net secondary income is equal to the unrequited transfers of income from nonresidents to residents minus the unrequited transfers from residents to nonresidents. 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.