Market capitalization of listed domestic companies in South Africa
South Africa: Market capitalization of listed domestic companies was 327.2% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Market capitalization of listed domestic companies in South Africa, 1975–2025
Source: World Federation of Exchanges database, World Federation of Exchanges (WFE). Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 327.2% for market capitalization of listed domestic companies in 2025. That is the highest value across all 51 years on record.
That represents a change of up 33.2% on the previous year and up 54.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, market capitalization of listed domestic companies in South Africa peaked at 327.2% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 47.9%, in 1976.
That places South Africa 2nd out of 99 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 51 years of available data.
Market capitalization of listed domestic companies in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 56.2% | — |
| 1976 | 47.9% | -14.8% |
| 1977 | 53.1% | +10.9% |
| 1978 | 60.0% | +12.9% |
| 1979 | 70.5% | +17.6% |
| 1980 | 62.4% | -11.5% |
| 1981 | 80.4% | +28.7% |
| 1982 | 90.6% | +12.8% |
| 1983 | 86.0% | -5.1% |
| 1984 | 62.9% | -26.9% |
| 1985 | 86.0% | +36.7% |
| 1986 | 139.9% | +62.7% |
| 1987 | 143.8% | +2.7% |
| 1988 | 121.4% | -15.6% |
| 1989 | 134.6% | +10.9% |
| 1990 | 108.6% | -19.3% |
| 1991 | 136.6% | +25.8% |
| 1992 | 111.6% | -18.3% |
| 1993 | 147.5% | +32.1% |
| 1994 | 169.1% | +14.6% |
| 1995 | 161.5% | -4.5% |
| 1996 | 148.0% | -8.4% |
| 1997 | 136.1% | -8.0% |
| 1998 | 110.2% | -19.1% |
| 1999 | 171.4% | +55.6% |
| 2000 | 134.6% | -21.5% |
| 2001 | 108.9% | -19.1% |
| 2002 | 141.0% | +29.5% |
| 2003 | 132.3% | -6.1% |
| 2004 | 173.0% | +30.7% |
| 2005 | 190.2% | +9.9% |
| 2006 | 234.1% | +23.1% |
| 2007 | 248.6% | +6.2% |
| 2008 | 152.7% | -38.6% |
| 2009 | 242.3% | +58.7% |
| 2010 | 221.6% | -8.5% |
| 2011 | 172.2% | -22.3% |
| 2012 | 209.0% | +21.3% |
| 2013 | 235.2% | +12.5% |
| 2014 | 245.0% | +4.2% |
| 2015 | 212.3% | -13.4% |
| 2016 | 294.0% | +38.5% |
| 2017 | 322.7% | +9.8% |
| 2018 | 213.5% | -33.8% |
| 2019 | 271.3% | +27.1% |
| 2020 | 311.1% | +14.7% |
| 2021 | 272.2% | -12.5% |
| 2022 | 287.5% | +5.6% |
| 2023 | 268.9% | -6.5% |
| 2024 | 245.7% | -8.6% |
| 2025 | 327.2% | +33.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 327.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 31.4%, 10.4× the median. (27 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 327.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 20.5%, 15.9× the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 57.5% | 47.9% | 70.5% | 5 |
| 1980s | 100.8% | 62.4% | 143.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 140.1% | 108.6% | 171.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 175.8% | 108.9% | 248.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 239.7% | 172.2% | 322.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 285.4% | 245.7% | 327.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 Hong Kong 1,425.0% compare
- 3 India 266.9% compare
- 4 Switzerland 240.9% compare
- 5 United States 224.0% compare
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 market capitalization of listed domestic companies in South Africa?
- Market capitalization of listed domestic companies in South Africa was 327.2% in 2025, according to World Federation of Exchanges database, World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).
- What is the highest market capitalization of listed domestic companies recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 327.2% in 2025.
- What is the lowest market capitalization of listed domestic companies recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.9% in 1976.
- How does South Africa rank for market capitalization of listed domestic companies?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 99 countries with data for 2025.
- Is market capitalization of listed domestic companies rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 54.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Federation of Exchanges database, World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), published as part of Market capitalization of listed domestic companies (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Market capitalization (also known as market value) is the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data are end of year values.