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South Africa

ZA · currency ZAR (South African rand)

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Overview

Coverage: 41 of 41 annual indicators reported, latest years 2020–2026. Gaps read “not available” (source has no figure) or “not yet covered” (not yet collected), never zero.

Currencies & Rates

Official and market exchange rates, policy rates, government yields, bank rates, reserves and stock indices.

Exchange rates

ZAR per US$1. Official and market rates are separate series and are never blended.
SeriesRateAs ofSource
Official rate reference 16.69 7 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC ECB reference rates (via Frankfurter API)
Parallel-market rate (USDT peer-to-peer median) parallel 17.82 8 Oct 2026, 06:20 UTC Bybit P2P
Market premium% by which the market rate exceeds the official rate +6.77% +0.58% pts over 7 days How we measure

Market premium history · since Aug 2026 · collected by The African Exponent

-14%0%19%Aug 2026Sep 2026Oct 2026

Official rate, 10-year annual average (ZAR per US$1, World Bank)

10141820142017202020232025

Policy rate

InstrumentRateEffectiveSource
Policy rate (repo)% per year · South African Reserve Bank 7.00% 29 May 2026 South African Reserve Bank

Checked 12 Sep 2026, 01:12 UTC

Government securities yields

% yield at the latest auction for each tenor. Tenors up to 364 days are Treasury bills; longer tenors are bonds. yield Source: SARB

91-day 6.84%17 Aug 2026
182-day 7.15%17 Aug 2026
364-day 7.20%17 Aug 2026

Steep — 364-day above 91-day.

as of 17 Aug 2026

Stock market

JSE All Share

107,104 · 7 Oct 2026

45,00087,500130,0002016202020222026

↑ 106.1% since 2016

Yahoo Finance

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for South Africa · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
FX reserves Current US$, total reserves including gold includes gold $76B 2025 ↑ $26.9B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Lending rate % per year, average bank lending rate 10.7% 2025 ↑ 1.6 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Deposit rate % per year, average bank deposit rate 7.4% 2025 ↑ 1.6 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (3)

FX reserves

$76B · 2025

$45B$60.5B$76B201520172019202120232025

↑ $26.9B since 2014

Lending rate

10.7% · 2025

7%9.5%12%201520172019202120232025

↑ 1.6 pts since 2014

Deposit rate

7.4% · 2025

3.8%5.8%7.9%201520172019202120232025

↑ 1.6 pts since 2014

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Economy & Prices

Output, growth, inflation, jobs, investment, the structure of the economy and minimum wages.

Inflation % change from a year earlier

SeriesYear on yearPeriodSource
Headline consumer prices 4.30% Jul 2026 National statistics office

Checked 12 Sep 2026, 19:49 UTC

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for South Africa · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
GDP Current US$ $427.2B 2025 ↑ $46B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
GDP growth % change, real (inflation-adjusted) 1.1% 2025 ↓ 0.3 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
GDP per capita (PPP) Current international $ per person, PPP $15,906 2025 ↑ $2,547 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
GDP per capita growth % change per person, real -0% 2025 ↑ 0.2 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Unemployment % of labour force ILO modeled estimate — national definitions differ 32.4% 2025 ↑ 7.5 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Investment rate Gross fixed capital formation, % of GDP 13.9% 2025 ↓ 4.4 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Agriculture share of GDP Agriculture value added, % of GDP 2.8% 2025 ↑ 0.7 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Manufacturing share of GDP Manufacturing value added, % of GDP 12.3% 2025 ↓ 0.2 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Services share of GDP Services value added, % of GDP 63.1% 2025 ↓ 0.9 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Minimum wage Local currency per month, national statutory floor Gazette monthly equivalent R5,894.40 (45-hour week × 4.333). EPWP is R16.62/hour. R30.23 / hour 2026 — National Minimum Wage Amendment 2026 — Government Gazette 54075 CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (9)

GDP

$427.2B · 2025

$320B$375B$430B201520172019202120232025

↑ $46B since 2014

GDP growth

1.1% · 2025

-7%0%5%201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.3 pts since 2014

GDP per capita (PPP)

$15,906 · 2025

$12,000$14,000$16,000201520172019202120232025

↑ $2,547 since 2014

GDP per capita growth

-0% · 2025

-8%0%4%201520172019202120232025

↑ 0.2 pts since 2014

Unemployment

32.4% · 2025

25%29.5%34%201520172019202120232025

↑ 7.5 pts since 2014

Investment rate

13.9% · 2025

13%15.5%18%201520172019202120232025

↓ 4.4 pts since 2014

Agriculture share of GDP

2.8% · 2025

1.9%2.4%2.8%201520172019202120232025

↑ 0.7 pts since 2014

Manufacturing share of GDP

12.3% · 2025

11%12%13%201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.2 pts since 2014

Services share of GDP

63.1% · 2025

62%63.5%65%201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.9 pts since 2014

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Public Finance & Debt

Government revenue, budget balance, public and external debt, debt service and sovereign credit ratings.

Sovereign credit ratings

AgencyRatingOutlook · actionSource
Fitch BB StableUpgraded 5 Jun 2026 · as of 5 Jun 2026 Agency release
Moody's Ba2 PositiveOutlook raised 22 May 2026 · as of 22 May 2026 Agency release
S&P BB PositiveUpgraded 14 Nov 2025 · as of 14 Nov 2025 Agency release

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for South Africa · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Government revenue / GDP General government revenue, % of GDP 2026 is an IMF projection (forecast) for the year in progress when fetched, not a reported outturn. 28.5% 2026 ↑ 3.1 pts since 2014 IMF DataMapper CSV Rank Compare
Budget balance / GDP General government net lending/borrowing, % of GDP Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates -4.9% 2026 ↓ 0.9 pts since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV Rank Compare
Debt to GDP General government gross debt, % of GDP Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates 78.9% 2026 ↑ 35.7 pts since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV Rank Compare
Gross debt (national currency) General government gross debt, local currency Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates R6.3T 2026 ↑ R4.5T since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV
External debt Total external debt stocks, current US$ $175.9B 2024 ↑ $26.6B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Debt service / exports Total debt service, % of exports and primary income 16.3% 2024 ↑ 7.7 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (6)

Government revenue / GDP

28.5% · 2026

24%26%28%201620182020202220242026

↑ 3.1 pts since 2014

Budget balance / GDP

-4.9% · 2026

-9.7%-6.7%-3.7%20142017202020232026

↓ 0.9 pts since 2014

Debt to GDP

78.9% · 2026

43%61%79%20142017202020232026

↑ 35.7 pts since 2014

Gross debt (national currency)

R6.3T · 2026

R1.7TR4.0TR6.3T20142017202020232026

↑ R4.5T since 2014

External debt

$175.9B · 2024

$120B$155B$190B201420162018202020222024

↑ $26.6B since 2014

Debt service / exports

16.3% · 2024

8.5%17.8%27%201420162018202020222024

↑ 7.7 pts since 2014

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Trade & Resources

Exports, imports, trade partners and products, investment and remittance flows, oil and commodities.

Trade profile

Goods and services, current US$
FlowLatestChange
Exports $134.5B · 2025 ↑ $24B since 2014
Imports $126.2B · 2025 ↑ $10B since 2014
Balance derived $8.2B · 2025 ↑ $14B since 2014
Show trade trend charts (3)

Exports

$134.5B · 2025

$91B$115.5B$140B201420202025

↑ $24B since 2014

Imports

$126.2B · 2025

$79B$104.5B$130B201420202025

↑ $10B since 2014

Balance

$8.2B · 2025

$-5.8B$0$26.4B20142017202020232025

↑ $14B since 2014

Top exports · 2025

Products

  1. Pearls, precious stones and metals$23.3B · 20.0%
  2. Ores, slag and ash$18.1B · 15.5%
  3. Vehicles other than railway$15.3B · 13.1%
  4. Mineral fuels$9.5B · 8.2%
  5. Edible fruit and nuts$6B · 5.2%
Show all 10 products
  1. Machinery and mechanical appliances$5.9B · 5.0%
  2. Iron and steel$3.5B · 3.0%
  3. Aluminium$2.4B · 2.1%
  4. Electrical machinery and equipment$2.4B · 2.0%
  5. Beverages, spirits, vinegar$1.6B · 1.4%

Partners

  1. China$12.8B · 11.0%
  2. M49 899$9.3B · 8.0%
  3. Germany$8.8B · 7.6%
  4. United States$8.3B · 7.1%
  5. Japan$5.5B · 4.7%
Show all 10 partners
  1. United Kingdom$5.4B · 4.6%
  2. Mozambique$5.2B · 4.5%
  3. India$4.7B · 4.0%
  4. Netherlands$4.3B · 3.7%
  5. Namibia$4.2B · 3.6%

Top imports · 2025

Products

  1. Mineral fuels$18.5B · 17.6%
  2. Machinery and mechanical appliances$14B · 13.3%
  3. Electrical machinery and equipment$10.4B · 9.9%
  4. Vehicles other than railway$8.8B · 8.4%
  5. Commodities not specified$8.5B · 8.1%
Show all 10 products
  1. Plastics$2.9B · 2.7%
  2. Optical, medical, precision instruments$2.5B · 2.4%
  3. Pharmaceutical products$2.5B · 2.4%
  4. Pearls, precious stones and metals$2B · 1.9%
  5. Miscellaneous chemical products$2B · 1.9%

Partners

  1. China$23.6B · 22.5%
  2. India$7.6B · 7.3%
  3. Germany$7.2B · 6.9%
  4. United States$7.2B · 6.9%
  5. Oman$3.5B · 3.3%
Show all 10 partners
  1. Thailand$3.4B · 3.3%
  2. Saudi Arabia$3.1B · 3.0%
  3. United Arab Emirates$2.6B · 2.5%
  4. Japan$2.4B · 2.3%
  5. Italy$2.4B · 2.3%

2025 filings are still arriving — this page updates as each country reports

Commodity exposure for South Africa →

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for South Africa · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Exports of goods and services Goods and services, current US$ $134.5B 2025 ↑ $24B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Exports per capita derived Current US$ per person (derived) $2,077 2025 ↑ $90.52 since 2014 Derived from World Bank series on this page CSV Rank Compare
Current account / GDP Current-account balance, % of GDP Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates -0.9% 2026 ↑ 3.9 pts since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV Rank Compare
FDI inflows Foreign direct investment, net inflows, current US$ $-2.2B 2025 ↓ $8B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Remittances Personal remittances received, current US$ $1B 2025 ↑ $91.3M since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Terms of trade Net barter terms of trade, index (2015 = 100) 117.10 2024 ↑ 19.60 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Tourist arrivals International tourist arrivals per year 3.9M 2020 ↓ 10.6M since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (7)

Exports of goods and services

$134.5B · 2025

$91B$115.5B$140B201520172019202120232025

↑ $24B since 2014

Exports per capita

$2,077 · 2025

$1,500$1,850$2,200201520172019202120232025

↑ $90.52 since 2014

Current account / GDP

-0.9% · 2026

-5%0%4%20142017202020232026

↑ 3.9 pts since 2014

FDI inflows

$-2.2B · 2025

$-2.2B$0$40.7B201520172019202120232025

↓ $8B since 2014

Remittances

$1B · 2025

$750M$875M$1B201520172019202120232025

↑ $91.3M since 2014

Terms of trade

117.10 · 2024

97.00113.50130.00201420162018202020222024

↑ 19.60 since 2014

Tourist arrivals

3.9M · 2020

3.8M9.4M15M2014201620182020

↓ 10.6M since 2014

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People & Society

Population, health, education, poverty and inequality, access to services and democracy.

Annual indicators · latest year reported for South Africa · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Population People, total 64.7M 2025 ↑ 9.2M since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Median age Years 28.2 years 2023 ↑ 3.2 years since 2014 UN WPP 2024, via Our World in Data CSV
Life expectancy Years at birth 66.3 years 2024 ↑ 3.1 years since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Child mortality Under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births 35.1 per 1,000 2024 ↓ 4.6 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Health expenditure Current health spending, % of GDP 8.9% 2023 ↑ 1 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Physicians Per 1,000 people 0.8 per 1,000 2022 ↑ 0.1 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Adult literacy % of people aged 15 and over 91.2% 2024 ↓ 3 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Tertiary enrollment Gross enrolment ratio, % 23.5% 2023 ↑ 5 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Poverty ($3/day) % of people below $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) 17.4% 2022 ↓ 10.5 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
National poverty line % of people below the national poverty line 37.9% 2022 ↓ 8.8 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV
Gini index Income inequality, 0 (equal) to 100 54.10 2022 ↓ 5.50 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Electricity access % of population 90.2% 2024 ↑ 4.3 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Internet users % of population using the internet 78.4% 2024 ↑ 29.4 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Account ownership % of people aged 15+ with an account Findex · every 3–4 years 81.1% 2024 ↑ 10.8 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Electoral democracy V-Dem electoral democracy index, 0 to 1 0.74 2025 ↓ 0.02 since 2014 V-Dem Institute CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (15)

Population

64.7M · 2025

56M60.5M65M201520172019202120232025

↑ 9.2M since 2014

Median age

28.2 years · 2023

2526.5282014201820202023

↑ 3.2 years since 2014

Life expectancy

66.3 years · 2024

626466201420162018202020222024

↑ 3.1 years since 2014

Child mortality

35.1 per 1,000 · 2024

3336.540201420162018202020222024

↓ 4.6 since 2014

Health expenditure

8.9% · 2023

7.8%8.4%9%2014201820202023

↑ 1 pts since 2014

Physicians

0.8 per 1,000 · 2022

0.740.7650.7920142016201820202022

↑ 0.1 since 2014

Adult literacy

91.2% · 2024

90%92.5%95%201420162018202020222024

↓ 3 pts since 2014

Tertiary enrollment

23.5% · 2023

18%21%24%2014201820202023

↑ 5 pts since 2014

Poverty ($3/day)

17.4% · 2022

17%22.5%28%20142016201820202022

↓ 10.5 pts since 2014

National poverty line

37.9% · 2022

37%42%47%20142016201820202022

↓ 8.8 pts since 2014

Gini index

54.10 · 2022

54.0057.0060.0020142016201820202022

↓ 5.50 since 2014

Electricity access

90.2% · 2024

83%86.5%90%201420162018202020222024

↑ 4.3 pts since 2014

Internet users

78.4% · 2024

49%63.5%78%201420162018202020222024

↑ 29.4 pts since 2014

Account ownership

81.1% · 2024

69%77%85%201420162018202020222024

↑ 10.8 pts since 2014

Electoral democracy

0.74 · 2025

0.710.730.76201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.02 since 2014

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Listed companies

1 company incorporated in South Africa in our listed-company pilot (listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Rwanda Stock Exchange), with figures from their audited annual filings — not complete exchange coverage. Independent review is pending. How company figures are chosen

  • RH BopheloRHB (JSE) / RHB (RSE) · Investment holding

Companies incorporated in South Africa · All companies in the pilot · Company CSV downloads

Downloads

Each indicator row above has its own CSV link. Every file starts with its source, source URL and page link. All downloads

All 45 CSV files for South Africa

Currencies & Rates

Economy & Prices

Public Finance & Debt

Trade & Resources

People & Society

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