Current account balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance) in South Africa
South Africa: Current account balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance) was -1.39 in 2027. ◆ Volatile
Current account balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance) in South Africa, 2000–2027
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
In 2027, current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) in South Africa stood at -1.39.
That represents a change of down 57.5% on the previous year and up 41.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) in South Africa peaked at 3.73 in 2021 and was at its lowest, -5.33, in 2013.
That places South Africa 14th out of 45 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Current account balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | -0.1132 | — |
| 2001 | 0.2461 | -317.4% |
| 2002 | 0.8067 | +227.8% |
| 2003 | -0.7346 | -191.1% |
| 2004 | -2.47 | +236.5% |
| 2005 | -2.79 | +13.0% |
| 2006 | -4.03 | +44.2% |
| 2007 | -4.85 | +20.3% |
| 2008 | -5.02 | +3.5% |
| 2009 | -2.43 | -51.5% |
| 2010 | -1.34 | -45.1% |
| 2011 | -2.01 | +50.2% |
| 2012 | -4.69 | +133.7% |
| 2013 | -5.33 | +13.6% |
| 2014 | -4.81 | -9.8% |
| 2015 | -4.34 | -9.7% |
| 2016 | -2.68 | -38.3% |
| 2017 | -2.37 | -11.5% |
| 2018 | -2.93 | +23.7% |
| 2019 | -2.6 | -11.1% |
| 2020 | 1.97 | -175.6% |
| 2021 | 3.73 | +89.5% |
| 2022 | -0.3239 | -108.7% |
| 2023 | -1.09 | +235.3% |
| 2024 | -0.6527 | -39.9% |
| 2025 | -0.5399 | -17.3% |
| 2026 | -0.8845 | +63.8% |
| 2027 | -1.39 | +57.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's -1.39 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -2.9, 48% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- South Africa's -1.39 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -1.91, 73% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -2.14 | -5.02 | 0.8067 | 10 |
| 2010s | -3.31 | -5.33 | -1.34 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.1026 | -1.39 | 3.73 | 8 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More financial sector data for South Africa
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0021 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 13.81 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0.0607 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0015 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 10.08 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0021 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 13.81 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0.0607 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) in South Africa?
- Current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) in South Africa was -1.39 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.73 in 2021.
- What is the lowest current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -5.33 in 2013.
- How does South Africa rank for current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance)?
- South Africa ranks 14th out of 45 countries with data for 2027.
- Is current account balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 41.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Current account balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.