South Africa Government Revenues to GDP
General government revenue as a percentage of GDP.
Government Revenues to GDP in South Africa increased to 27.19 percent of GDP in 2024 from 26.91 percent of GDP in 2023.
South Africa Government Revenues to GDP — History
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South Africa Government Revenues to GDP — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Government Revenues to GDP in South Africa increased to 27.19 percent of GDP in 2024 from 26.91 percent of GDP in 2023.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2023) it was 26.9%, so the latest figure is 0.3 percentage points higher.
Over the past five years the average was 26.8%, with a range from 25.0% to 27.6%. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1913 and has 112 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 98% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 27.6% (2022) and the lowest is 10.1% (1964). The long-run average is 18.9%.
Compared with other countries
Among 151 economies with recent data, South Africa ranks 76th from the top. The median across all these economies is 27.2%, so South Africa is below the typical country.
Among 18 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 12th.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (33 economies with data) it ranks 5th; the regional median is 17.4%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 27.2%2024
- Previous
- 26.9%
- 5-year average
- 26.8%
- Long-run average
- 18.9%since 1913
- All-time high
- 27.6%2022
- All-time low
- 10.1%1964
- Observations
- 112Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27.2% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2023 | 26.9% | ▼ −0.7 pp |
| 2022 | 27.6% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2021 | 27.1% | ▲ +2.1 pp |
| 2020 | 25.0% | ▼ −1.3 pp |
| 2019 | 26.3% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2018 | 26.4% | ▲ +0.6 pp |
| 2017 | 25.8% | ▼ −0.3 pp |
| 2016 | 26.2% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2015 | 25.8% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2014 | 25.4% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2013 | 25.0% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2012 | 24.6% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 2011 | 24.4% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2010 | 23.8% | ▲ +0.0 pp |
| 2009 | 23.8% | ▼ −1.7 pp |
| 2008 | 25.5% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 2007 | 25.6% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 2006 | 25.5% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2005 | 25.0% | ▲ +3.4 pp |
| 2004 | 21.7% | ▲ +0.6 pp |
| 2003 | 21.0% | ▼ −0.2 pp |
| 2002 | 21.3% | ▼ −0.3 pp |
| 2001 | 21.6% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2000 | 21.3% | ▼ −3.2 pp |
| 1999 | 24.5% | ▼ −0.1 pp |
| 1998 | 24.5% | ▲ +0.7 pp |
| 1997 | 23.8% | ▼ −0.2 pp |
| 1996 | 24.0% | ▲ +1.1 pp |
| 1995 | 22.8% |
Government Revenues to GDP — South Africa vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Africa highlighted.
More South Africa indicators
Understanding Government Revenues to GDP — a simple guide
What it measures
General government revenue as a percentage of GDP.
How it is calculated
Total government income (taxes, fees, other receipts) ÷ GDP × 100.
20% means the government collects one-fifth of GDP.
Higher revenue gives more room to spend without borrowing.
Lower revenue limits spending capacity.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Revenue capacity determines how much a state can spend without borrowing.
How to read it
Advanced economies typically collect a much larger share of GDP than emerging economies.
Data source
IMF — Public Finances in Modern History (series rev), annual data from 1913 to 2024. 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 government revenues to gdp of South Africa?
What is the highest and lowest government revenues to gdp of South Africa?
What does government revenues to gdp 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.