South Africa in figures
Back to South AfricaUnemployment climbed from 22.8% in 2000 to 34.0% in 2021 and was still 32.4% in 2025, when 59.9% of people aged 15 to 24 in the labour force had no work. Output in current dollars went from $151.8 billion to $427.2 billion over the series, yet real growth has not topped 2.5% since 2013 except in the rebound of 2021. General government debt more than tripled as a share of GDP, from 24.0% in 2008 to 78.6% in 2025.
GDP
$427.2 bn
2025
from $151.8 bn in 2000
GDP per person
$6 598
2025
from $3 218 in 2000
Real growth
1.1%
2025
from 4.2% in 2000
Inflation
3.2%
2025
from 5.3% in 2000
Unemployment
32.4%
2025
from 22.8% in 2000
Government debt
78.6%of GDP
2025
from 37.9% in 2000
Sections
Economy
How large South Africa's economy is, how fast it grows and what it is made of
Real growth ran between 4.5% and 5.6% a year from 2004 to 2007, then output shrank by 1.5% in 2009 and by 6.2% in 2020. After 4.9% in 2021 it slowed to 0.8% in 2023 and 0.5% in 2024. It was 1.1% in 2025. The IMF projected 1.0% for 2026 and 1.8% by 2031. GDP in current dollars peaked at $458.2 billion in 2011 and stood at $427.2 billion in 2025, or $6,598 a person. At purchasing power, output per person was $15,906 in 2025, against $8,095 in 2000. Services produced 63.1% of GDP in 2025. Manufacturing shrank from 19.0% of GDP in 2000 to 12.2% in 2025, and industry with construction from 28.2% to 24.1% over the same years, while agriculture, forestry and fishing made up 2.8% in 2025.
$427.2 bn2025
Data
| Year | GDP, current US dollars |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $427.2 bn |
| 2024 | $401.1 bn |
| 2023 | $381.4 bn |
| 2022 | $407.6 bn |
| 2021 | $420.0 bn |
| 2020 | $338.0 bn |
| 2019 | $389.3 bn |
| 2018 | $405.3 bn |
| 2017 | $381.4 bn |
| 2016 | $323.6 bn |
| 2015 | $346.7 bn |
| 2014 | $381.2 bn |
| 2013 | $400.9 bn |
| 2012 | $434.4 bn |
| 2011 | $458.2 bn |
| 2010 | $417.4 bn |
| 2009 | $329.8 bn |
| 2008 | $316.1 bn |
| 2007 | $333.1 bn |
| 2006 | $303.9 bn |
| 2005 | $288.9 bn |
| 2004 | $255.8 bn |
| 2003 | $197.0 bn |
| 2002 | $129.1 bn |
| 2001 | $135.4 bn |
| 2000 | $151.8 bn |
Series World Bank NY.GDP.MKTP.CD
1.1%2025
Data
| Year | Growth |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | 1.8% |
| 2030 (projection) | 1.8% |
| 2029 (projection) | 1.7% |
| 2028 (projection) | 1.5% |
| 2027 (projection) | 1.3% |
| 2026 (projection) | 1.0% |
| 2025 | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 0.5% |
| 2023 | 0.8% |
| 2022 | 2.1% |
| 2021 | 4.9% |
| 2020 | −6.2% |
| 2019 | 0.3% |
| 2018 | 1.6% |
| 2017 | 1.2% |
| 2016 | 0.7% |
| 2015 | 1.3% |
| 2014 | 1.4% |
| 2013 | 2.5% |
| 2012 | 2.4% |
| 2011 | 3.2% |
| 2010 | 3.0% |
| 2009 | −1.5% |
| 2008 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | 5.4% |
| 2006 | 5.6% |
| 2005 | 5.3% |
| 2004 | 4.5% |
| 2003 | 3.0% |
| 2002 | 3.7% |
| 2001 | 2.7% |
| 2000 | 4.2% |
Series World Bank NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG · IMF World Economic Outlook NGDP_RPCH
$6 5982025
At market exchange ratesAt purchasing power parity
Data
| Year | GDP per person | At purchasing power |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6 598 | $15 906 |
| 2024 | $6 267 | $15 479 |
| 2023 | $6 034 | $15 212 |
| 2022 | $6 534 | $14 747 |
| 2021 | $6 829 | $13 682 |
| 2020 | $5 581 | $12 671 |
| 2019 | $6 534 | $13 361 |
| 2018 | $6 914 | $13 347 |
| 2017 | $6 618 | $13 738 |
| 2016 | $5 651 | $13 519 |
| 2015 | $6 112 | $13 398 |
| 2014 | $6 857 | $13 359 |
| 2013 | $7 332 | $13 369 |
| 2012 | $8 077 | $12 987 |
| 2011 | $8 646 | $13 143 |
| 2010 | $7 973 | $12 637 |
| 2009 | $6 375 | $12 261 |
| 2008 | $6 185 | $12 525 |
| 2007 | $6 592 | $12 047 |
| 2006 | $6 077 | $11 250 |
| 2005 | $5 837 | $10 441 |
| 2004 | $5 221 | $9 714 |
| 2003 | $4 062 | $9 139 |
| 2002 | $2 688 | $8 792 |
| 2001 | $2 847 | $8 428 |
| 2000 | $3 218 | $8 095 |
Series World Bank NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · World Bank NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD
Manufacturing has its own band and is left out of other industry. The remainder is taxes on products less subsidies, which the national accounts add to reach GDP.
- Services
- Manufacturing
- Other industry and construction
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing
- Taxes less subsidies
Prices and work
What prices and jobs did
Consumer prices fell 0.7% in 2004 and rose 9.9% in 2008. Inflation was 7.0% in 2022 and eased to 3.2% in 2025; the IMF projected 3.9% for 2026 and 3.0% a year from 2028. Unemployment stayed between 22.3% and 22.8% until 2008, passed 25% in 2015 with 25.1% and reached 34.0% in 2021. It was 32.4% in 2025, and the IMF projected 31.9% for 2031. Among people aged 15 to 24 it peaked at 65.5% in 2021. Labour force participation was 55.6% in 2025.
3.2%2025
Data
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | 3.0% |
| 2030 (projection) | 3.0% |
| 2029 (projection) | 3.0% |
| 2028 (projection) | 3.0% |
| 2027 (projection) | 3.4% |
| 2026 (projection) | 3.9% |
| 2025 | 3.2% |
| 2024 | 4.4% |
| 2023 | 6.1% |
| 2022 | 7.0% |
| 2021 | 4.6% |
| 2020 | 3.2% |
| 2019 | 4.1% |
| 2018 | 4.5% |
| 2017 | 5.2% |
| 2016 | 6.6% |
| 2015 | 4.5% |
| 2014 | 6.1% |
| 2013 | 5.8% |
| 2012 | 5.7% |
| 2011 | 5.0% |
| 2010 | 4.1% |
| 2009 | 7.2% |
| 2008 | 9.9% |
| 2007 | 6.2% |
| 2006 | 3.2% |
| 2005 | 2.1% |
| 2004 | −0.7% |
| 2003 | 5.7% |
| 2002 | 9.5% |
| 2001 | 5.7% |
| 2000 | 5.3% |
Series World Bank FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG · IMF World Economic Outlook PCPIPCH
32.4%2025
All agesAges 15 to 24
Data
| Year | Unemployment | Ages 15 to 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.4% | 59.9% |
| 2024 | 32.3% | 60.3% |
| 2023 | 32.1% | 60.3% |
| 2022 | 33.3% | 61.7% |
| 2021 | 34.0% | 65.5% |
| 2020 | 29.2% | 59.6% |
| 2019 | 28.5% | 57.3% |
| 2018 | 26.9% | 53.6% |
| 2017 | 27.0% | 53.4% |
| 2016 | 26.5% | 53.5% |
| 2015 | 25.1% | 50.1% |
| 2014 | 24.9% | 51.2% |
| 2013 | 24.6% | 51.2% |
| 2012 | 24.7% | 51.3% |
| 2011 | 24.6% | 49.8% |
| 2010 | 24.7% | 50.5% |
| 2009 | 23.5% | 47.5% |
| 2008 | 22.4% | 44.6% |
| 2007 | 22.3% | 44.0% |
| 2006 | 22.3% | 43.9% |
| 2005 | 22.5% | 43.9% |
| 2004 | 22.6% | 43.9% |
| 2003 | 22.7% | 43.8% |
| 2002 | 22.6% | 43.4% |
| 2001 | 22.6% | 43.2% |
| 2000 | 22.8% | 43.2% |
Series World Bank SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS · World Bank SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Trade
How open the economy is
Exports of goods and services came to 31.4% of GDP in 2025 and imports to 29.5%. Both have grown as a share of output since 2000, when they stood at 24.4% and 21.8%. Imports peaked at 33.7% of GDP in 2008 and exports at 33.5% in 2022. The current account swung from a deficit of 5.3% of GDP in 2013 to a surplus of 3.8% in 2021, and was back to a deficit of 0.4% in 2025. Net inflows of foreign direct investment reached 9.7% of GDP in 2021 and turned negative, at −0.5%, in 2025.
31.4%2025
ExportsImports
Data
| Year | Exports of goods and services | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 31.4% | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 31.8% | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 33.3% | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 33.5% | 31.4% |
| 2021 | 31.2% | 25.0% |
| 2020 | 27.6% | 23.2% |
| 2019 | 27.2% | 26.7% |
| 2018 | 27.5% | 27.0% |
| 2017 | 27.3% | 26.2% |
| 2016 | 28.2% | 27.7% |
| 2015 | 27.7% | 29.0% |
| 2014 | 29.0% | 30.5% |
| 2013 | 28.4% | 30.5% |
| 2012 | 27.1% | 28.4% |
| 2011 | 27.7% | 26.9% |
| 2010 | 25.8% | 24.6% |
| 2009 | 25.0% | 24.6% |
| 2008 | 32.3% | 33.7% |
| 2007 | 28.0% | 29.2% |
| 2006 | 26.1% | 27.7% |
| 2005 | 23.6% | 23.8% |
| 2004 | 22.8% | 22.9% |
| 2003 | 23.9% | 21.8% |
| 2002 | 28.4% | 25.0% |
| 2001 | 26.4% | 22.8% |
| 2000 | 24.4% | 21.8% |
Series World Bank NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS · World Bank NE.IMP.GNFS.ZS
−0.4%2025
Data
| Year | Current account balance |
|---|---|
| 2025 | −0.4% |
| 2024 | −0.6% |
| 2023 | −1.1% |
| 2022 | −0.3% |
| 2021 | 3.8% |
| 2020 | 2.0% |
| 2019 | −2.6% |
| 2018 | −3.0% |
| 2017 | −2.4% |
| 2016 | −2.6% |
| 2015 | −4.3% |
| 2014 | −4.8% |
| 2013 | −5.3% |
| 2012 | −4.7% |
| 2011 | −2.0% |
| 2010 | −1.3% |
| 2009 | −2.4% |
| 2008 | −5.2% |
| 2007 | −4.9% |
| 2006 | −4.0% |
| 2005 | −2.8% |
| 2004 | −2.5% |
| 2003 | −0.8% |
| 2002 | 0.8% |
| 2001 | 0.3% |
| 2000 | −0.1% |
Series World Bank BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS
−0.5%2025
Data
| Year | Foreign direct investment, net inflows |
|---|---|
| 2025 | −0.5% |
| 2024 | 0.6% |
| 2023 | 1.0% |
| 2022 | 2.3% |
| 2021 | 9.7% |
| 2020 | 0.9% |
| 2019 | 1.3% |
| 2018 | 1.4% |
| 2017 | 0.5% |
| 2016 | 0.7% |
| 2015 | 0.4% |
| 2014 | 1.5% |
| 2013 | 2.0% |
| 2012 | 1.1% |
| 2011 | 0.9% |
| 2010 | 0.9% |
| 2009 | 2.3% |
| 2008 | 3.1% |
| 2007 | 2.0% |
| 2006 | 0.2% |
| 2005 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | 0.3% |
| 2003 | 0.4% |
| 2002 | 1.1% |
| 2001 | 5.4% |
| 2000 | 0.6% |
Series World Bank BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Public finances
What the state owes and borrows
General government gross debt fell from 38.0% of GDP in 2001 to 24.0% in 2008. From there it rose in every year but 2021, to 68.9% in 2020 and 78.6% in 2025, and the IMF projected 82.6% for 2031. The government ran a surplus of 1.2% of GDP in 2007 and a deficit of 9.6% in 2020. In 2025 the deficit was 5.8%. Tax revenue came to 25.9% of GDP in 2024.
78.6%2025
Data
| Year | General government gross debt |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | 82.6% |
| 2030 (projection) | 82.2% |
| 2029 (projection) | 81.7% |
| 2028 (projection) | 80.9% |
| 2027 (projection) | 79.7% |
| 2026 (projection) | 78.9% |
| 2025 | 78.6% |
| 2024 | 76.0% |
| 2023 | 73.2% |
| 2022 | 70.7% |
| 2021 | 68.8% |
| 2020 | 68.9% |
| 2019 | 56.1% |
| 2018 | 51.5% |
| 2017 | 48.6% |
| 2016 | 47.1% |
| 2015 | 45.2% |
| 2014 | 43.3% |
| 2013 | 40.4% |
| 2012 | 37.4% |
| 2011 | 34.7% |
| 2010 | 31.2% |
| 2009 | 27.0% |
| 2008 | 24.0% |
| 2007 | 24.3% |
| 2006 | 28.0% |
| 2005 | 29.6% |
| 2004 | 30.7% |
| 2003 | 31.5% |
| 2002 | 31.8% |
| 2001 | 38.0% |
| 2000 | 37.9% |
Series IMF World Economic Outlook GGXWDG_NGDP
−5.8%2025
Below zero the government borrowed.
Data
| Year | General government net lending or borrowing |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | −3.9% |
| 2030 (projection) | −3.9% |
| 2029 (projection) | −4.1% |
| 2028 (projection) | −4.4% |
| 2027 (projection) | −4.3% |
| 2026 (projection) | −4.9% |
| 2025 | −5.8% |
| 2024 | −5.7% |
| 2023 | −5.6% |
| 2022 | −4.2% |
| 2021 | −5.5% |
| 2020 | −9.6% |
| 2019 | −5.1% |
| 2018 | −3.7% |
| 2017 | −4.0% |
| 2016 | −3.7% |
| 2015 | −4.4% |
| 2014 | −3.9% |
| 2013 | −3.9% |
| 2012 | −4.0% |
| 2011 | −3.7% |
| 2010 | −4.5% |
| 2009 | −4.7% |
| 2008 | −0.5% |
| 2007 | 1.2% |
| 2006 | 0.8% |
| 2005 | −0.1% |
| 2004 | −1.0% |
| 2003 | −1.6% |
| 2002 | −1.0% |
| 2001 | −1.0% |
| 2000 | −1.4% |
Series IMF World Economic Outlook GGXCNL_NGDP
25.9%2024
Data
| Year | Tax revenue |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 26.0% |
| 2021 | 25.9% |
| 2020 | 23.3% |
| 2019 | 24.9% |
| 2018 | 24.9% |
| 2017 | 24.8% |
| 2016 | 24.8% |
| 2015 | 25.1% |
| 2014 | 24.4% |
| 2013 | 23.8% |
| 2012 | 23.4% |
| 2011 | 22.9% |
| 2010 | 22.5% |
| 2009 | 21.9% |
| 2008 | 24.3% |
| 2007 | 24.8% |
| 2006 | 24.4% |
| 2005 | 23.0% |
| 2004 | 21.7% |
| 2003 | 20.5% |
| 2002 | 20.8% |
| 2001 | 21.7% |
| 2000 | 21.0% |
Series World Bank GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
People
Who lives in South Africa
The World Bank put the population at 64,747,319 in 2025, up from 47,159,719 in 2000. Children under 15 made up 34.9% of it in 2000 and 25.7% in 2025, and the share aged 65 or over rose from 4.8% to 6.9%. Life expectancy at birth fell to 53.9 years in 2005 and recovered to 66.3 years in 2024. Women had 2.21 children on average in 2024. Net migration swung from 641,150 people in 2015 to −879,235 in 2016 and added 146,370 in 2025. 63.8% of people lived in towns and cities in 2025.
64.75 m2025
The axis does not start at zero, so the change looks larger than it is.
Data
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 64.75 m |
| 2024 | 64.01 m |
| 2023 | 63.21 m |
| 2022 | 62.38 m |
| 2021 | 61.50 m |
| 2020 | 60.56 m |
| 2019 | 59.59 m |
| 2018 | 58.61 m |
| 2017 | 57.64 m |
| 2016 | 57.26 m |
| 2015 | 56.72 m |
| 2014 | 55.59 m |
| 2013 | 54.68 m |
| 2012 | 53.78 m |
| 2011 | 53.00 m |
| 2010 | 52.34 m |
| 2009 | 51.73 m |
| 2008 | 51.11 m |
| 2007 | 50.53 m |
| 2006 | 50.00 m |
| 2005 | 49.49 m |
| 2004 | 48.99 m |
| 2003 | 48.50 m |
| 2002 | 48.02 m |
| 2001 | 47.57 m |
| 2000 | 47.16 m |
Series World Bank SP.POP.TOTL
Data
| Year | Aged 0 to 14 | 15 to 64 | 65 and over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25.7% | 67.4% | 6.9% |
| 2024 | 25.9% | 67.4% | 6.7% |
| 2023 | 26.1% | 67.4% | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 26.3% | 67.3% | 6.4% |
| 2021 | 26.6% | 67.2% | 6.2% |
| 2020 | 27.0% | 66.9% | 6.1% |
| 2019 | 27.4% | 66.6% | 6.0% |
| 2018 | 27.9% | 66.4% | 5.8% |
| 2017 | 28.3% | 66.1% | 5.6% |
| 2016 | 28.3% | 66.2% | 5.5% |
| 2015 | 28.3% | 66.3% | 5.4% |
| 2014 | 28.5% | 66.2% | 5.3% |
| 2013 | 28.7% | 66.0% | 5.3% |
| 2012 | 28.9% | 65.8% | 5.3% |
| 2011 | 29.1% | 65.6% | 5.2% |
| 2010 | 29.4% | 65.3% | 5.3% |
| 2009 | 29.7% | 65.1% | 5.3% |
| 2008 | 29.9% | 64.8% | 5.2% |
| 2007 | 30.2% | 64.6% | 5.2% |
| 2006 | 30.6% | 64.2% | 5.2% |
| 2005 | 31.1% | 63.8% | 5.1% |
| 2004 | 31.6% | 63.4% | 5.0% |
| 2003 | 32.3% | 62.7% | 5.0% |
| 2002 | 33.2% | 62.0% | 4.9% |
| 2001 | 34.0% | 61.1% | 4.8% |
| 2000 | 34.9% | 60.4% | 4.8% |
Series World Bank SP.POP.0014.TO.ZS · World Bank SP.POP.1564.TO.ZS · World Bank SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS
2.212024
Data
| Year | Births per woman |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.21 |
| 2023 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 2.50 |
| 2008 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 2.41 |
Series World Bank SP.DYN.TFRT.IN
66.3 years2024
Data
| Year | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 66.3 years |
| 2023 | 66.1 years |
| 2022 | 65.5 years |
| 2021 | 62.0 years |
| 2020 | 65.2 years |
| 2019 | 66.1 years |
| 2018 | 65.7 years |
| 2017 | 65.4 years |
| 2016 | 64.8 years |
| 2015 | 64.0 years |
| 2014 | 63.2 years |
| 2013 | 62.4 years |
| 2012 | 61.7 years |
| 2011 | 60.6 years |
| 2010 | 58.9 years |
| 2009 | 57.4 years |
| 2008 | 56.0 years |
| 2007 | 55.0 years |
| 2006 | 54.2 years |
| 2005 | 53.9 years |
| 2004 | 54.0 years |
| 2003 | 54.3 years |
| 2002 | 55.6 years |
| 2001 | 57.2 years |
| 2000 | 58.4 years |
Series World Bank SP.DYN.LE00.IN
146 3702025
People arriving less people leaving, each year. The largest net inflow in the series was 641 150 people, in 2015.
Data
| Year | Net migration |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 146 370 |
| 2024 | 166 972 |
| 2023 | 228 222 |
| 2022 | 233 284 |
| 2021 | 458 246 |
| 2020 | 369 901 |
| 2019 | 331 124 |
| 2018 | 318 260 |
| 2017 | 343 146 |
| 2016 | −879 235 |
| 2015 | 641 150 |
| 2014 | 272 697 |
| 2013 | 232 230 |
| 2012 | 264 091 |
| 2011 | 65 166 |
| 2010 | 68 563 |
| 2009 | 41 528 |
| 2008 | 36 869 |
| 2007 | 36 339 |
| 2006 | 33 159 |
| 2005 | 31 286 |
| 2004 | 58 924 |
| 2003 | 65 604 |
| 2002 | 50 313 |
| 2001 | −60 793 |
| 2000 | −136 794 |
Series World Bank SM.POP.NETM
Living standards
Health, schooling, the internet and inequality
The Gini coefficient of income inequality was 65.0 in 2005 and 54.1 in 2022. Public spending on education came to 6.0% of GDP in 2024 and health spending to 8.9% in 2023. Internet use went from 5.3% of people in 2000 to 78.4% in 2024, and adult literacy was 91.2% in 2024. The Human Development Index stood at 0.713 in 2021.
8.9%2023
Data
| Year | Health spending |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 8.8% |
| 2021 | 8.7% |
| 2020 | 9.0% |
| 2019 | 8.3% |
| 2018 | 8.1% |
| 2017 | 8.0% |
| 2016 | 8.1% |
| 2015 | 8.1% |
| 2014 | 7.9% |
| 2013 | 8.1% |
| 2012 | 8.0% |
| 2011 | 7.9% |
| 2010 | 7.8% |
| 2009 | 7.7% |
| 2008 | 7.2% |
| 2007 | 6.9% |
| 2006 | 6.9% |
| 2005 | 6.9% |
| 2004 | 6.9% |
| 2003 | 7.0% |
| 2002 | 6.7% |
| 2001 | 7.1% |
| 2000 | 7.3% |
Series World Bank SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
6.0%2024
Data
| Year | Public spending on education |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6.0% |
| 2023 | 6.1% |
| 2022 | 6.2% |
| 2021 | 6.6% |
| 2020 | 6.2% |
| 2019 | 5.9% |
| 2018 | 5.6% |
| 2017 | 5.6% |
| 2016 | 5.4% |
| 2015 | 5.5% |
| 2014 | 5.5% |
| 2013 | 5.3% |
| 2012 | 5.5% |
| 2011 | 5.3% |
| 2010 | 5.1% |
| 2009 | 4.8% |
| 2008 | 4.4% |
| 2007 | 4.5% |
| 2006 | 4.5% |
| 2005 | 4.5% |
| 2004 | 4.5% |
| 2003 | 4.3% |
| 2002 | 4.5% |
| 2001 | 4.6% |
| 2000 | 4.9% |
Series World Bank SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
78.4%2024
Data
| Year | Using the internet |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 78.4% |
| 2023 | 78.3% |
| 2022 | 78.3% |
| 2021 | 75.0% |
| 2020 | 72.1% |
| 2019 | 69.7% |
| 2018 | 62.4% |
| 2017 | 56.2% |
| 2016 | 54.0% |
| 2015 | 51.9% |
| 2014 | 49.0% |
| 2013 | 46.5% |
| 2012 | 41.0% |
| 2011 | 34.0% |
| 2010 | 24.0% |
| 2009 | 10.0% |
| 2008 | 8.4% |
| 2007 | 8.1% |
| 2006 | 7.6% |
| 2005 | 7.5% |
| 2004 | 8.4% |
| 2003 | 7.0% |
| 2002 | 6.7% |
| 2001 | 6.3% |
| 2000 | 5.3% |
Series World Bank IT.NET.USER.ZS
54.12022
Data
| Year | Gini coefficient |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 54.1 |
| 2014 | 59.6 |
| 2010 | 60.9 |
| 2008 | 62.5 |
| 2005 | 65.0 |
| 2000 | 57.8 |
Series World Bank SI.POV.GINI
63.8%2025
Data
| Year | Living in towns and cities |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 63.8% |
| 2024 | 63.7% |
| 2023 | 63.6% |
| 2022 | 63.5% |
| 2021 | 63.5% |
| 2020 | 63.4% |
| 2019 | 63.4% |
| 2018 | 63.4% |
| 2017 | 63.3% |
| 2016 | 63.3% |
| 2015 | 63.2% |
| 2014 | 63.1% |
| 2013 | 63.0% |
| 2012 | 63.0% |
| 2011 | 62.9% |
| 2010 | 62.6% |
| 2009 | 62.3% |
| 2008 | 61.8% |
| 2007 | 61.2% |
| 2006 | 60.5% |
| 2005 | 59.8% |
| 2004 | 59.1% |
| 2003 | 58.4% |
| 2002 | 57.7% |
| 2001 | 57.0% |
| 2000 | 56.3% |
Series World Bank SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Energy and environment
Energy, emissions and forest
Renewable sources generated 6.5% of electricity in 2021, up from 2.0% in 2000, while their share of final energy use fell from 16.2% to 9.7%. Carbon dioxide emissions came to 9.6 tonnes per person in 2008 and 6.9 tonnes in 2024. Forest covered 14.0% of the land in 2023.
6.5%2021
Data
| Year | Electricity from renewable sources |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6.5% |
| 2020 | 6.0% |
| 2019 | 5.2% |
| 2018 | 4.9% |
| 2017 | 4.2% |
| 2016 | 3.1% |
| 2015 | 2.7% |
| 2014 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | 1.7% |
| 2012 | 1.8% |
| 2011 | 2.0% |
| 2010 | 1.9% |
| 2009 | 1.8% |
| 2008 | 1.6% |
| 2007 | 1.7% |
| 2006 | 2.2% |
| 2005 | 1.9% |
| 2004 | 1.9% |
| 2003 | 1.7% |
| 2002 | 1.9% |
| 2001 | 2.1% |
| 2000 | 2.0% |
Series World Bank EG.ELC.RNEW.ZS
9.7%2021
Data
| Year | Renewable share of final energy use |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 9.7% |
| 2020 | 9.8% |
| 2019 | 8.7% |
| 2018 | 8.0% |
| 2017 | 7.9% |
| 2016 | 7.8% |
| 2015 | 7.6% |
| 2014 | 7.6% |
| 2013 | 7.8% |
| 2012 | 8.3% |
| 2011 | 9.0% |
| 2010 | 9.4% |
| 2009 | 9.2% |
| 2008 | 9.7% |
| 2007 | 8.7% |
| 2006 | 9.3% |
| 2005 | 9.7% |
| 2004 | 11.0% |
| 2003 | 11.8% |
| 2002 | 13.3% |
| 2001 | 15.0% |
| 2000 | 16.2% |
Series World Bank EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS
6.9 t2024
Data
| Year | CO2 emissions per person |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6.9 t |
| 2023 | 6.8 t |
| 2022 | 6.9 t |
| 2021 | 7.3 t |
| 2020 | 7.4 t |
| 2019 | 8.0 t |
| 2018 | 8.1 t |
| 2017 | 8.2 t |
| 2016 | 8.0 t |
| 2015 | 8.2 t |
| 2014 | 8.8 t |
| 2013 | 8.7 t |
| 2012 | 8.6 t |
| 2011 | 8.4 t |
| 2010 | 8.9 t |
| 2009 | 8.8 t |
| 2008 | 9.6 t |
| 2007 | 9.1 t |
| 2006 | 8.8 t |
| 2005 | 8.8 t |
| 2004 | 8.7 t |
| 2003 | 8.1 t |
| 2002 | 7.7 t |
| 2001 | 7.5 t |
| 2000 | 7.4 t |
Series World Bank EN.GHG.CO2.PC.CE.AR5
14.0%2023
−0.7 points since 2000, between 14.0% and 14.7% in every year
Data
| Year | Forest cover |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 14.0% |
| 2021 | 14.0% |
| 2020 | 14.1% |
| 2019 | 14.1% |
| 2018 | 14.1% |
| 2017 | 14.2% |
| 2016 | 14.2% |
| 2015 | 14.2% |
| 2014 | 14.2% |
| 2013 | 14.3% |
| 2012 | 14.3% |
| 2011 | 14.3% |
| 2010 | 14.4% |
| 2009 | 14.4% |
| 2008 | 14.4% |
| 2007 | 14.4% |
| 2006 | 14.5% |
| 2005 | 14.5% |
| 2004 | 14.5% |
| 2003 | 14.6% |
| 2002 | 14.6% |
| 2001 | 14.6% |
| 2000 | 14.7% |
Series World Bank AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Codes
South Africa's codes and memberships
The state
- Status
- Sovereign state
- State since
- 1910
- Government
- apartheid, parliamentary republic, representative democracy
- Official languages
- Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, South African Sign Language, Southern Ndebele, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
- United Nations
- Member
Identifiers
- Calling code
- +27
- Internet domain
- .za
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
Memberships
Also a member, joining year not on record
Questions
Questions about South Africa in figures
What is the unemployment rate in South Africa?
Unemployment was 32.4% in 2025, according to the World Bank, after a peak of 34.0% in 2021. In 2000 it was 22.8%. Among people aged 15 to 24 it was 59.9% in 2025. The IMF projected 32.5% for 2026.
How large is South Africa's economy?
GDP came to $427.2 billion in 2025 in current US dollars, or $6,598 per person, according to the World Bank; at purchasing power, output per person was $15,906 in 2025. Real growth was 1.1% that year, and the IMF projected 1.0% for 2026.
What is South Africa's population?
The World Bank put the population at 64,747,319 in 2025, up from 47,159,719 in 2000, and growth in 2025 at 1.1%. In 2025 children under 15 made up 25.7% of the population and people aged 65 or over 6.9%.
What was inflation in South Africa in 2025?
Consumer prices rose 3.2% in 2025, after 4.4% in 2024 and 7.0% in 2022. The IMF projected 3.9% for 2026 and 3.0% a year from 2028.
How much government debt does South Africa have?
General government gross debt was 78.6% of GDP in 2025 by the IMF's estimate, up from 24.0% in 2008. The IMF projected 78.9% for 2026 and 82.6% for 2031. The deficit was 5.8% of GDP in 2025.
How unequal are incomes in South Africa?
The World Bank put the Gini coefficient at 54.1 in 2022, down from 65.0 in 2005 and 57.8 in 2000. On that scale 0 means everyone has the same income and 100 means one person has all of it.
Record generated 2026-08-31, series 2026-09-27 · Q258 · World Bank data · Africa