Total reserves includes gold (% of GDP) in South Africa
South Africa: Total reserves includes gold (% of GDP) was 11.9% in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves includes gold in South Africa, 1960–2011
Source: International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2011, total reserves includes gold in South Africa stood at 11.9%.
The figure is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 85.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves includes gold in South Africa peaked at 14.0% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 1996.
That places South Africa 39th out of 53 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves includes gold (% of GDP) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3.7% | — |
| 1961 | 5.1% | +37.9% |
| 1962 | 7.8% | +53.5% |
| 1963 | 8.4% | +7.9% |
| 1964 | 7.0% | -16.9% |
| 1965 | 5.5% | -22.2% |
| 1966 | 7.0% | +27.4% |
| 1967 | 5.8% | -16.0% |
| 1968 | 11.9% | +102.9% |
| 1969 | 8.6% | -27.4% |
| 1970 | 5.9% | -31.5% |
| 1971 | 3.9% | -33.4% |
| 1972 | 8.5% | +117.2% |
| 1973 | 9.1% | +6.2% |
| 1974 | 10.6% | +16.6% |
| 1975 | 8.1% | -23.8% |
| 1976 | 6.0% | -25.4% |
| 1977 | 5.1% | -14.7% |
| 1978 | 5.8% | +13.5% |
| 1979 | 10.0% | +71.2% |
| 1980 | 9.8% | -1.6% |
| 1981 | 5.0% | -48.7% |
| 1982 | 4.9% | -1.9% |
| 1983 | 4.4% | -10.4% |
| 1984 | 2.9% | -33.2% |
| 1985 | 2.8% | -4.0% |
| 1986 | 2.8% | +0.2% |
| 1987 | 3.3% | +17.4% |
| 1988 | 1.9% | -42.3% |
| 1989 | 1.8% | -8.6% |
| 1990 | 2.3% | +31.2% |
| 1991 | 2.7% | +14.9% |
| 1992 | 2.5% | -7.3% |
| 1993 | 2.2% | -10.2% |
| 1994 | 2.4% | +9.9% |
| 1995 | 3.0% | +21.7% |
| 1996 | 1.6% | -44.9% |
| 1997 | 4.0% | +145.8% |
| 1998 | 4.1% | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 5.6% | +37.2% |
| 2000 | 5.8% | +3.0% |
| 2001 | 6.4% | +11.1% |
| 2002 | 7.0% | +9.3% |
| 2003 | 4.8% | -31.1% |
| 2004 | 6.8% | +40.2% |
| 2005 | 8.3% | +22.9% |
| 2006 | 9.8% | +17.5% |
| 2007 | 11.5% | +17.3% |
| 2008 | 12.4% | +8.1% |
| 2009 | 14.0% | +12.5% |
| 2010 | 12.1% | -13.9% |
| 2011 | 11.9% | -0.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 11.9% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 21.2%, 56% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 11.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.3%, 84% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7.1% | 3.7% | 11.9% | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.3% | 3.9% | 10.6% | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.0% | 1.8% | 9.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.0% | 1.6% | 5.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.7% | 4.8% | 14.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.0% | 11.9% | 12.1% | 2 |
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 total reserves includes gold in South Africa?
- Total reserves includes gold in South Africa was 11.9% in 2011, according to International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.
- What is the highest total reserves includes gold recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 14.0% in 2009.
- What is the lowest total reserves includes gold recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 1996.
- How does South Africa rank for total reserves includes gold?
- South Africa ranks 39th out of 53 countries with data for 2011.
- Is total reserves includes gold rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 85.5%. 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, International Financial Statistics and data files, published as part of Total reserves includes gold (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total reserves comprise holdings of monetary gold, special drawing rights, reserves of IMF members held by the IMF, and holdings of foreign exchange under the control of monetary authorities. The gold component of these reserves is valued at year-end (December 31) London prices.