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South Africa Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) in South Africa stood at 29.5% of GDP in 2025, according to IMF. The latest value is down 0.35 percentage points from 29.85% of GDP in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 29.01% of GDP (up 0.49 percentage points since). The highest value since 2004 was 33.72% of GDP in 2008, the lowest 22.89% of GDP in 2004.

Data source: IMF · Unit: % of GDP · Category: Macroeconomics · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:2004–2027
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What is Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO)?

Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO), measured in % of GDP, measures the total economic output of South Africa. It represents the broadest indicator of economic activity, capturing production, income, and expenditure across all sectors — from manufacturing and services to agriculture and government. GDP can be calculated three ways: by adding up all expenditures (consumption + investment + government spending + net exports), by summing all incomes earned, or by totaling value added at each production stage. In South Africa, the statistical agency compiles GDP data through comprehensive surveys of businesses, government records, and household expenditure patterns. While GDP per capita provides insight into average living standards, it does not capture income distribution, environmental costs, or unpaid work like caregiving. Nevertheless, GDP growth remains the most widely followed metric for assessing whether an economy is expanding or contracting.

Key facts

What is the latest Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) in South Africa?

Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) in South Africa stood at 29.5% of GDP in 2025, according to IMF.

Is Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) in South Africa rising or falling?

The latest value is down 0.35 percentage points from 29.85% of GDP in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 29.01% of GDP (up 0.49 percentage points since).

What is the highest Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) on record in South Africa?

The highest value since 2004 was 33.72% of GDP in 2008, the lowest 22.89% of GDP in 2004.

Metadata for Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) in South Africa
IndicatorImports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO)
CountrySouth Africa
CategoryMacroeconomics
Unit% of GDP
SourceIMF
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Latest value: 29.5% of GDP (2025)

IMF projection for 2026: 28.68% of GDP

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Source:International Monetary Fund via IMF — series BM_GDP
License:IMF Copyright and Usage
Cite this chart
APA

International Monetary Fund. (2026). Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) — South Africa [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/imports-percent-gdp-imf/ZAF. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/BM_GDP@WEO/WEOWORLD

MLA

International Monetary Fund. "Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) — South Africa." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/imports-percent-gdp-imf/ZAF. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/BM_GDP@WEO/WEOWORLD.

Chicago

International Monetary Fund. 2026. "Imports of goods and services (% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) — South Africa." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/imports-percent-gdp-imf/ZAF. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/BM_GDP@WEO/WEOWORLD.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_imports_percent_gdp_imf_zaf,
  author = {{International Monetary Fund}},
  title = {{Imports of goods and services (\% of GDP, IMF Africa REO) --- South Africa}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/imports-percent-gdp-imf/ZAF},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/BM\_GDP@WEO/WEOWORLD}
}