Total reserves in months of imports in South Africa
South Africa: Total reserves in months of imports was 5.67 ratio in 2024. ▲ Rising
Total reserves in months of imports in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in ratio.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 5.67 ratio for total reserves in months of imports in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.4% on the previous year and up 28.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in months of imports in South Africa peaked at 7.12 ratio in 2020 and was at its lowest, 1.93 ratio, in 2003.
That places South Africa 53rd out of 172 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.
Total reserves in months of imports in South Africa, year by year
| Year | ratio | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2.38 ratio | — |
| 2001 | 2.45 ratio | +2.9% |
| 2002 | 2.5 ratio | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 1.93 ratio | -22.8% |
| 2004 | 2.69 ratio | +39.4% |
| 2005 | 3.16 ratio | +17.5% |
| 2006 | 3.24 ratio | +2.5% |
| 2007 | 3.46 ratio | +6.8% |
| 2008 | 3.33 ratio | -3.8% |
| 2009 | 5.13 ratio | +54.1% |
| 2010 | 4.54 ratio | -11.5% |
| 2011 | 4.19 ratio | -7.7% |
| 2012 | 4.33 ratio | +3.3% |
| 2013 | 4.3 ratio | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 4.43 ratio | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 4.72 ratio | +6.5% |
| 2016 | 5.44 ratio | +15.3% |
| 2017 | 5.23 ratio | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 4.81 ratio | -8.0% |
| 2019 | 5.41 ratio | +12.5% |
| 2020 | 7.12 ratio | +31.6% |
| 2021 | 5.56 ratio | -21.9% |
| 2022 | 4.91 ratio | -11.7% |
| 2023 | 5.33 ratio | +8.6% |
| 2024 | 5.67 ratio | +6.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.03 ratio | 1.93 ratio | 5.13 ratio | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.74 ratio | 4.19 ratio | 5.44 ratio | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.72 ratio | 4.91 ratio | 7.12 ratio | 5 |
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 total reserves in months of imports in South Africa?
- Total reserves in months of imports in South Africa was 5.67 ratio in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total reserves in months of imports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 7.12 ratio in 2020.
- What is the lowest total reserves in months of imports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.93 ratio in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for total reserves in months of imports?
- South Africa ranks 53rd out of 172 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves in months of imports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total reserves in months of imports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total reserves in months of imports (ratio).