Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of) in South Africa

South Africa: Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of) was 2.43 in 2027. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2027)
2.43
Change on year
down 9.3%
World rank
18th
of 45 countries
All-time high
7.28
in 2021
All-time low
-1.9
in 2013
Years of data
28
2000–2027

Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of) in South Africa, 2000–2027

-2024682000201320272000: 3.12001: 3.82002: 3.72003: 1.82004: -0.0752005: -0.1092006: -1.22007: -0.7752008: -0.5562009: 12010: 1.92011: 1.42012: -1.12013: -1.92014: -1.52015: -1.22016: 0.542017: 1.22018: 0.4922019: 0.6512020: 5.22021: 7.32022: 3.52023: 22024: 2.92025: 2.82026: 2.72027: 2.4

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

In 2027, goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) in South Africa stood at 2.43.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.3% on the previous year and up 109.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) in South Africa peaked at 7.28 in 2021 and was at its lowest, -1.9, in 2013.

South Africa ranks 18th of 45 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.

Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)) in South Africa, 2000 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2000 3.1
2001 3.82 +23.4%
2002 3.69 -3.5%
2003 1.79 -51.5%
2004 -0.0747 -104.2%
2005 -0.1089 +45.9%
2006 -1.18 +982.5%
2007 -0.7754 -34.2%
2008 -0.5561 -28.3%
2009 1.01 -280.9%
2010 1.92 +91.2%
2011 1.42 -26.2%
2012 -1.11 -178.5%
2013 -1.9 +70.5%
2014 -1.52 -20.2%
2015 -1.25 -17.7%
2016 0.5399 -143.2%
2017 1.16 +115.1%
2018 0.4921 -57.6%
2019 0.6515 +32.4%
2020 5.2 +698.0%
2021 7.28 +40.0%
2022 3.5 -51.9%
2023 1.98 -43.3%
2024 2.91 +47.0%
2025 2.82 -3.4%
2026 2.68 -5.0%
2027 2.43 -9.3%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 2.43 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -2.52. (45 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 2.43 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -2.59. (6 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of) in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2006 -982.5% -0.1089 -1.18
2020 +698.0% 0.6515 5.2

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1.07 -1.18 3.82 10
2010s 0.0407 -1.9 1.92 10
2020s 3.6 1.98 7.28 8

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Eritrea 4.68 compare
  2. 16 Uganda 4.14 compare
  3. 17 Zimbabwe 3.01 compare
  4. 19 Niger 1.94 compare
  5. 20 Eswatini 1.33 compare
  6. 21 Benin -1.5 compare

See the full ranking of 64 places →

More financial sector data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) in South Africa?
Goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) in South Africa was 2.43 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 7.28 in 2021.
What is the lowest goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was -1.9 in 2013.
How does South Africa rank for goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of)?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 45 countries with data for 2027.
Is goods balance (credit less debit), percent of gdp (balance of) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 109.0%. 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 Goods 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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Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 19 September 2026, from https://financial-sector.statizoid.com/stat/goods-balance-credit-less-debit-percent-of-gdp-balance-of-payments-and-international/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Goods balance (credit less debit), Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6))
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
64 places, 1,763 data points, 2000–2027
Last refreshed

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.