South Africa Current Account
Current account balance, current US dollars.
Current Account in South Africa increased to -1.81 USD billion in 2025 from -2.58 USD billion in 2024.
South Africa Current Account — History
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South Africa Current Account — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Current Account in South Africa increased to -1.81 USD billion in 2025 from -2.58 USD billion in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was -$2.6B, so the latest figure is $0.8B higher.
Over the past five years the average was $1.2B, with a range from -$4.2B to $15.8B. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1960 and has 66 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 39% of all of them.
The highest value on record is $15.8B (2021) and the lowest is -$21.4B (2013). The long-run average is -$2.8B.
Compared with other countries
Among 186 economies with recent data, South Africa ranks 133rd from the top. The median across all these economies is -$0.2B, so South Africa is below the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 10th.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (42 economies with data) it ranks 30th; the regional median is -$1.0B.
Statistics
- Latest
- -$1.8B2025
- Previous
- -$2.6B
- 5-year average
- $1.2B
- Long-run average
- -$2.8Bsince 1960
- All-time high
- $15.8B2021
- All-time low
- -$21.4B2013
- Observations
- 66Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -$1.8B | ▲ +0.8 |
| 2024 | -$2.6B | ▲ +1.6 |
| 2023 | -$4.2B | ▼ −3.0 |
| 2022 | -$1.2B | ▼ −17.1 |
| 2021 | $15.8B | ▲ +9.1 |
| 2020 | $6.8B | ▲ +17.0 |
| 2019 | -$10.2B | ▲ +2.0 |
| 2018 | -$12.2B | ▼ −3.1 |
| 2017 | -$9.1B | ▼ −0.5 |
| 2016 | -$8.5B | ▲ +6.4 |
| 2015 | -$14.9B | ▲ +3.4 |
| 2014 | -$18.3B | ▲ +3.1 |
| 2013 | -$21.4B | ▼ −1.1 |
| 2012 | -$20.3B | ▼ −11.1 |
| 2011 | -$9.3B | ▼ −3.8 |
| 2010 | -$5.4B | ▲ +2.4 |
| 2009 | -$7.9B | ▲ +8.5 |
| 2008 | -$16.4B | ▼ −0.2 |
| 2007 | -$16.2B | ▼ −4.0 |
| 2006 | -$12.2B | ▼ −4.1 |
| 2005 | -$8.0B | ▼ −1.6 |
| 2004 | -$6.4B | ▼ −4.9 |
| 2003 | -$1.5B | ▼ −2.6 |
| 2002 | $1.0B | ▲ +0.7 |
| 2001 | $0.3B | ▲ +0.5 |
| 2000 | -$0.2B | ▲ +0.5 |
| 1999 | -$0.7B | ▲ +1.5 |
| 1998 | -$2.2B | ▲ +0.0 |
| 1997 | -$2.2B | ▼ −0.5 |
| 1996 | -$1.7B |
Current Account — South Africa vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Africa highlighted.
More South Africa indicators
Understanding Current Account — a simple guide
What it measures
The current account balance in current US dollars.
How it is calculated
Trade balance + net income from abroad + net transfers, in US dollars.
A deficit of $40 billion means the country spent that much more abroad than it earned.
A surplus adds to national savings held abroad.
A deficit must be financed by foreign capital.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
It shows the absolute size of a country’s external surplus or deficit.
How to read it
Scale by GDP (current account to GDP) to compare countries.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series BN.CAB.XOKA.CD), annual data from 1960 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current current account of South Africa?
What is the highest and lowest current account of South Africa?
What does current account measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.