home
docs

South Africa Trade volume % GDP 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Trade volume % GDP in South Africa stood at 57.23% in 2025, according to World Bank. The latest value is down 0.99 percentage points from 58.22% in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 53.55% (up 3.68 percentage points since). The highest value since 1960 was 63.57% in 2022, the lowest 29.38% in 1992. South Africa ranked 87th highest of the 189 countries in this dataset in 2025; Hong Kong ranked first.

Data source: World Bank · Unit: % · Category: Macroeconomics · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1960–2025
Read full description

What is Trade volume % GDP?

Trade volume % GDP, measured in %, 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 Trade volume % GDP in South Africa?

Trade volume % GDP in South Africa stood at 57.23% in 2025, according to World Bank.

Is Trade volume % GDP in South Africa rising or falling?

The latest value is down 0.99 percentage points from 58.22% in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 53.55% (up 3.68 percentage points since).

How does South Africa rank for Trade volume % GDP?

South Africa ranked 87th highest of the 189 countries in this dataset in 2025; Hong Kong ranked first.

What is the highest Trade volume % GDP on record in South Africa?

The highest value since 1960 was 63.57% in 2022, the lowest 29.38% in 1992.

Metadata for Trade volume % GDP in South Africa
IndicatorTrade volume % GDP
CountrySouth Africa
CategoryMacroeconomics
Unit%
SourceWorld Bank
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Loading chart...

Source:World Bank — series TG.VAL.TOTL.GD.ZS
License:CC BY 4.0
Cite this chart
APA

World Bank. (2026). Trade volume % GDP — South Africa [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/trade-volume-percent-gdp/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TG.VAL.TOTL.GD.ZS

MLA

World Bank. "Trade volume % GDP — South Africa." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/trade-volume-percent-gdp/ZAF. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TG.VAL.TOTL.GD.ZS.

Chicago

World Bank. 2026. "Trade volume % GDP — South Africa." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/trade-volume-percent-gdp/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TG.VAL.TOTL.GD.ZS.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_trade_volume_percent_gdp_zaf,
  author = {{World Bank}},
  title = {{Trade volume \% GDP --- South Africa}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/trade-volume-percent-gdp/ZAF},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TG.VAL.TOTL.GD.ZS}
}