South Africa recorded a Current Account deficit of 0.60 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. Current Account to GDP in South Africa averaged -1.46 percent of GDP from 1963 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 6.00 percent of GDP in 1987 and a record low of -7.50 percent of GDP in 1971. source: South African Reserve Bank

Current Account to GDP in South Africa is expected to reach -1.10 percent of GDP by the end of 2026, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Current Account to GDP is projected to trend around -1.50 percent of GDP in 2027 and -1.70 percent of GDP in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Current Account -57023.00 -72223.00 ZAR Million Sep 2025
Current Account to GDP -0.60 -1.60 percent of GDP Dec 2024
External Debt 193047.00 180237.00 USD Million Sep 2025
Foreign Direct Investment -21000.00 -73452.00 ZAR Million Sep 2025
Terms of Trade 110.60 110.00 points Sep 2025


South Africa Current Account to GDP
The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-0.60 -1.60 6.00 -7.50 1963 - 2024 percent of GDP Yearly