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Economic indicators

South Africa

Economic indicators | Foreign Trade in figures | Sources of general economic information

Economic indicators

Main indicators	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
GDP (billions USD)	276.77e	287.22e	329.54e	343.45e	361.63e
GDP (constant prices, annual % change)	3.7	-1.8e	2.6e	3.6e	4.0e
GDP per capita (USD)	5,684.68e	5,823.58e	6,609.01e	6,812.90e	7,095.60e
Inflation rate (%)	11.5	42.0e	5.8e	5.8e	5.6e
Current Account (billions USD)	-19.59e	-11.45e	-16.32e	-22.87e	-25.36e
Current Account (in % of GDP)	-7.1e	-4.0e	-5.0e	-6.7e	-7.0e

Source:

Note: (e) Estimated data

Breakdown of economic activity by sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Value added (annual % change)	18.8	1.0	3.5
Value added (in % of GDP)	3.3	33.7	63.0
Employment by sector (in % of total employment)	8.8	26.0	64.9

Source: - last available data.

Monetary indicators	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Average annual exchange rate for 1 USD	6.46	6.36	6.77	7.05	8.26

Source:

Foreign trade in figures

Foreign trade indicators	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Imports of goods (millions USD)	62,304	78,715	88,450	99,500	71,950
Exports of goods (millions USD)	51,626	58,175	69,784	80,782	62,627
Imports of services (millions USD)	11,833	13,900	16,100	16,515	13,818
Exports of services (millions USD)	11,041	11,912	13,499	12,394	11,224
Imports of goods and services (annual % change)	10.3	18.9	10.0	2.2	-
Exports of goods and services (annual % change)	8.0	6.0	7.5	1.7	-
Imports of goods and services (in % of GDP)	28.3	32.9	34.6	38.5	-
Exports of goods and services (in % of GDP)	27.5	29.7	31.5	35.4	-
Trade Balance (millions USD)	-995	-6,101	-5,705	-4,448	-
Current Account (millions USD)	-9,723	-13,745	-20,572	-20,084	-
Foreign trade (in % of GDP)	55.6	62.5	66.0	73.8	-

Source:

Main partner countries

Main customers (% of exports)	2008
Japan	11.0%
United States	10.8%
Germany	7.8%
United Kingdom	6.6%
China	5.8%
Netherlands	4.7%
India	3.1%
Belgium	2.8%
Zambia	2.7%
Spain	2.5%
Zimbabwe	2.3%
Mozambique	2.2%
Italy	2.2%
Switzerland	2.1%
South Korea	2.0%
Australia	2.0%
France	2.0%
Democratic Republic of Congo	1.5%
Nigeria	1.3%
Angola	1.2%
See more countries	58.0%

Main suppliers (% of imports)	2008
Germany	11.3%
China	11.3%
United States	8.0%
Saudi Arabia	6.3%
Japan	5.6%
United Kingdom	4.1%
Iran	3.8%
Angola	3.1%
France	2.9%
India	2.6%
Italy	2.4%
Nigeria	2.2%
Thailand	2.0%
Brazil	1.9%
Australia	1.9%
Sweden	1.8%
South Korea	1.6%
Yemen	1.5%
Netherlands	1.4%
Belgium	1.3%
See more countries	57.5%

Source: Comtrade

Main products

Main exports (% of exports)	2008
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or...Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	17.1%
Iron and steelIron and steel	12.2%
Vehicles other than railway or tramway...Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	10.0%
Ores, slag and ashOres, slag and ash	9.8%
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their...Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	9.7%
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and...Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	8.6%
Aluminium and articles thereofAluminium and articles thereof	3.0%
Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic...Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes	2.4%
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or...Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or melons	2.1%
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts...Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles	2.1%
Articles of iron or steelArticles of iron or steel	1.8%
Organic chemicalsOrganic chemicals	1.7%
Beverages, spirits and vinegarBeverages, spirits and vinegar	1.4%
Plastics and articles thereofPlastics and articles thereof	1.2%
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of...Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard	1.0%
Copper and articles thereofCopper and articles thereof	1.0%
CerealsCereals	0.9%
Miscellaneous chemical productsMiscellaneous chemical products	0.9%
Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports,...Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings	0.8%
Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic...Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard	0.8%
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofAircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof	0.7%
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates	0.7%
Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoalWood and articles of wood; wood charcoal	0.6%
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring,...Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof	0.6%
Rubber and articles thereofRubber and articles thereof	0.5%
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other...Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants	0.5%
Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering...Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement	0.5%
FertilizersFertilizers	0.4%
Nickel and articles thereofNickel and articles thereof	0.4%
Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn...Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric	0.3%
Sugars and sugar confectionerySugars and sugar confectionery	0.3%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic...Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations	0.3%
Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and...Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds	0.3%
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their...Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks	0.3%
Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the...Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage	0.3%
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous...Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder	0.2%
Pharmaceutical productsPharmaceutical products	0.2%
Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and...Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather	0.2%
Miscellaneous edible preparationsMiscellaneous edible preparations	0.2%
Other base metals; cermets; articles thereofOther base metals; cermets; articles thereof	0.2%
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutesTobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes	0.2%
Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing...Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, 'dental waxes' and dental preparations with a basis of plaster	0.2%
Ships, boats and floating structuresShips, boats and floating structures	0.2%
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of...Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal	0.2%
Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their...Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes	0.2%
Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other...Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans	0.2%
Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica...Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials	0.2%
Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches;...Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible preparations	0.1%
Glass and glasswareGlass and glassware	0.1%
Meat and edible meat offalMeat and edible meat offal	0.1%
Products of the milling industry; malt; starches;...Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten	0.1%
Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiquesWorks of art, collectors' pieces and antiques	0.1%
Man-made filamentsMan-made filaments	0.1%
See more products	41.2%

Main imports (% of imports)	2008
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their...Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	22.3%
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and...Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	15.8%
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts...Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles	9.7%
Vehicles other than railway or tramway...Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	7.4%
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring,...Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof	2.5%
Plastics and articles thereofPlastics and articles thereof	2.2%
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofAircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof	1.8%
Pharmaceutical productsPharmaceutical products	1.8%
Organic chemicalsOrganic chemicals	1.6%
Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic...Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes	1.6%
Articles of iron or steelArticles of iron or steel	1.5%
Miscellaneous chemical productsMiscellaneous chemical products	1.3%
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or...Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	1.3%
Iron and steelIron and steel	1.3%
Rubber and articles thereofRubber and articles thereof	1.2%
CerealsCereals	1.1%
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of...Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard	1.1%
FertilizersFertilizers	1.0%
Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their...Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes	0.9%
Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports,...Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings	0.7%
Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering...Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement	0.7%
Ores, slag and ashOres, slag and ash	0.7%
Ceramic productsCeramic products	0.7%
Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such...Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles	0.7%
Nickel and articles thereofNickel and articles thereof	0.5%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted	0.5%
Residues and waste from the food industries;...Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder	0.5%
Beverages, spirits and vinegarBeverages, spirits and vinegar	0.5%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted	0.5%
Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and...Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof	0.5%
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their...Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks	0.5%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic...Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations	0.5%
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of...Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal	0.4%
Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoalWood and articles of wood; wood charcoal	0.4%
Meat and edible meat offalMeat and edible meat offal	0.3%
Copper and articles thereofCopper and articles thereof	0.3%
Ships, boats and floating structuresShips, boats and floating structures	0.3%
Miscellaneous articles of base metalMiscellaneous articles of base metal	0.3%
Aluminium and articles thereofAluminium and articles thereof	0.3%
Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other...Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans	0.3%
Glass and glasswareGlass and glassware	0.3%
Man-made filamentsMan-made filaments	0.3%
Miscellaneous edible preparationsMiscellaneous edible preparations	0.2%
Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing...Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, 'dental waxes' and dental preparations with a basis of plaster	0.2%
Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica...Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials	0.2%
Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel...Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut)	0.2%
Man-made staple fibresMan-made staple fibres	0.2%
Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues;...Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes	0.2%
Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn...Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags	0.2%
Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and...Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds	0.2%
Sugars and sugar confectionerySugars and sugar confectionery	0.2%
Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile...Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use	0.2%
CottonCotton	0.2%
Miscellaneous manufactured articlesMiscellaneous manufactured articles	0.2%
Coffee, tea, maté and spicesCoffee, tea, maté and spices	0.2%
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other...Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants	0.2%
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutesTobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes	0.2%
Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans,...Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates	0.1%
Other base metals; cermets; articles thereofOther base metals; cermets; articles thereof	0.1%
Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;...Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products	0.1%
Photographic or cinematographic goodsPhotographic or cinematographic goods	0.1%
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates	0.1%
Cocoa and cocoa preparationsCocoa and cocoa preparations	0.1%
Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and...Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather	0.1%
Clocks and watches and parts thereofClocks and watches and parts thereof	0.1%
Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible...Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included	0.1%
Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubersEdible vegetables and certain roots and tubers	0.1%
Products of the milling industry; malt; starches;...Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten	0.1%
See more products	42.3%

Source: Comtrade

See more products: More imports (Intracen Data)
More exports (Intracen Data)

Sources of general economic information

Ministries: Department of Agriculture
Department of Trade and Industry
Department of Minerals and Energy
Department of Public Enterprises
Statistical Office: Statistics South Africa
Central Bank: South African Reserve Bank
Stock Exchange: JSE Securities Exchange
South African Futures Exchange
Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Main online newspapers: Business Day
South African Newspapers
Mail and Guardian Online
African Sporting Gazette
Afrika link
List of online newspapers
Search Engines: Aardvark South Africa
WoYaa (website under construction)
Southafrica
Ananzi
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Economic indicators

South Africa

Economic indicators

Foreign trade in figures

Main partner countries

Main products

Sources of general economic information

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