South Africa—Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP)
South Africa's imports (% of gdp) was 29.9% in 2024, ranking #133 out of 183 countries. This represents a -7.9% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 33.7% (2008) and the lowest was 21.8% (2003). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29.9% | -7.9% |
| 2023 | 32.4% | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 31.4% | +25.8% |
| 2021 | 25.0% | +7.7% |
| 2020 | 23.2% | -13.2% |
| 2019 | 26.7% | -1.1% |
| 2018 | 27.0% | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 26.2% | -5.4% |
| 2016 | 27.7% | -4.5% |
| 2015 | 29.0% | -4.9% |
| 2014 | 30.5% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 30.5% | +7.2% |
| 2012 | 28.4% | +5.6% |
| 2011 | 26.9% | +9.4% |
| 2010 | 24.6% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 24.6% | -27.0% |
| 2008 | 33.7% | +15.6% |
| 2007 | 29.2% | +5.4% |
| 2006 | 27.7% | +16.1% |
| 2005 | 23.8% | +4.1% |
| 2004 | 22.9% | +4.9% |
| 2003 | 21.8% | -12.9% |
| 2002 | 25.0% | +9.7% |
| 2001 | 22.8% | +4.6% |
| 2000 | 21.8% |
Top Countries — Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 177.7% | 2024 |
| 2 | Luxembourg | 159.7% | 2024 |
| 3 | San Marino | 155.0% | 2023 |
| 4 | Singapore | 143.6% | 2024 |
| 5 | Djibouti | 114.8% | 2024 |
| 6 | Nauru | 110.5% | 2024 |
| 7 | Virgin Islands (U.S.) | 108.3% | 2022 |
| 8 | Seychelles | 103.2% | 2024 |
| 9 | Ireland | 102.2% | 2024 |
| 10 | Kiribati | 101.7% | 2023 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Imports of goods includes change in the economic ownership of goods from non-residents to residents of the compiling economy, irrespective of physical movement of goods across national borders. Imports of services includes services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.
Methodology
Data compiled by Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks; National Accounts data files, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).