Total natural resources rents (% of GDP) in South Africa stood at 7.33% in 2021, according to World Bank. The latest value is up 3.31 percentage points from 4.02% in 2020. Ten years earlier, in 2011, the value was 7.81% (down 0.49 percentage points since). The highest value since 1970 was 13.53% in 1980, the lowest 1.66% in 1970. South Africa ranked 56th highest of the 197 countries in this dataset in 2021; Libya ranked first.
Data source: World Bank · Unit: % · Category: Commodities and Energy · Explore more indicators on EconDash
Total natural resources rents (% of 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.
Total natural resources rents (% of GDP) in South Africa stood at 7.33% in 2021, according to World Bank.
The latest value is up 3.31 percentage points from 4.02% in 2020. Ten years earlier, in 2011, the value was 7.81% (down 0.49 percentage points since).
South Africa ranked 56th highest of the 197 countries in this dataset in 2021; Libya ranked first.
The highest value since 1970 was 13.53% in 1980, the lowest 1.66% in 1970.
| Indicator | Total natural resources rents (% of GDP) |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Category | Commodities and Energy |
| Unit | % |
| Source | World Bank |
| Interactive chart | View on EconDash |
| API access | EconDash API documentation |
Loading chart...
World Bank. (2026). Total natural resources rents (% of GDP) — South Africa [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-ny-gdp-totl-rt-zs/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.TOTL.RT.ZS
World Bank. "Total natural resources rents (% of GDP) — South Africa." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-ny-gdp-totl-rt-zs/ZAF. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.TOTL.RT.ZS.
World Bank. 2026. "Total natural resources rents (% of GDP) — South Africa." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-ny-gdp-totl-rt-zs/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.TOTL.RT.ZS.
@misc{econdash_wdi_ny_gdp_totl_rt_zs_zaf,
author = {{World Bank}},
title = {{Total natural resources rents (\% of GDP) --- South Africa}},
howpublished = {EconDash},
year = {2026},
url = {https://econdash.org/chart/wdi-ny-gdp-totl-rt-zs/ZAF},
note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.TOTL.RT.ZS}
}Browse indicators available for South Africa. Click any indicator to view its interactive chart, compare with other countries, and download historical data.
| Demographics | 56 indicators |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | 59 indicators |
| Macroeconomics | 160 indicators |
| Real Estate | 4 indicators |
| Education | 38 indicators |
| Commodities and Energy | 105 indicators |
| Technology and Internet | 9 indicators |
| Transport and Logistics | 22 indicators |
| Labor and Employment | 45 indicators |
| Financial Markets | 38 indicators |
| Total indicators | 536 |