Trade openness in South Africa in 2025 — 60.91%. Ranked 91 in the world out of 138. Since 1960, the indicator has risen by 14.06 pp.
1960–2025 · % of GDP
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 60.91 | −0.74 pp |
| 2024 | 61.65 | −4.03 pp |
| 2023 | 65.68 | +0.73 pp |
| 2022 | 64.95 | +8.78 pp |
| 2021 | 56.16 | +5.41 pp |
| 2020 | 50.76 | −3.14 pp |
| 2019 | 53.9 | −0.59 pp |
| 2018 | 54.49 | +0.95 pp |
| 2017 | 53.54 | −2.33 pp |
| 2016 | 55.86 | −0.87 pp |
| 2015 | 56.73 | −2.77 pp |
| 2014 | 59.5 | +0.62 pp |
| 2013 | 58.88 | +3.29 pp |
| 2012 | 55.58 | +0.95 pp |
| 2011 | 54.64 | +4.23 pp |
| 2010 | 50.41 | +0.82 pp |
| 2009 | 49.59 | −16.39 pp |
| 2008 | 65.97 | +8.85 pp |
| 2007 | 57.13 | +3.36 pp |
| 2006 | 53.77 | +6.34 pp |
| 2005 | 47.43 | +1.78 pp |
| 2004 | 45.64 | −0.08 pp |
| 2003 | 45.72 | −7.74 pp |
| 2002 | 53.47 | +4.29 pp |
| 2001 | 49.17 | +2.95 pp |
| 2000 | 46.22 | +3.96 pp |
| 1999 | 42.26 | −1.78 pp |
| 1998 | 44.04 | +1.73 pp |
| 1997 | 42.3 | +0.1 pp |
| 1996 | 42.2 | +2.72 pp |
| 1995 | 39.48 | +2.36 pp |
| 1994 | 37.11 | +1.42 pp |
| 1993 | 35.7 | +1.38 pp |
| 1992 | 34.32 | −0.56 pp |
| 1991 | 34.88 | −3.33 pp |
| 1990 | 38.21 | −4.49 pp |
| 1989 | 42.7 | −3.15 pp |
| 1988 | 45.85 | +0.88 pp |
| 1987 | 44.97 | −1.68 pp |
| 1986 | 46.65 | −1.3 pp |
| 1985 | 47.95 | +4.56 pp |
| 1984 | 43.39 | +3.14 pp |
| 1983 | 40.26 | −6.89 pp |
| 1982 | 47.14 | −5.05 pp |
| 1981 | 52.19 | −4.31 pp |
| 1980 | 56.51 | +2.4 pp |
| 1979 | 54.11 | +3.16 pp |
| 1978 | 50.95 | +2.74 pp |
| 1977 | 48.21 | −0.67 pp |
| 1976 | 48.88 | −0.93 pp |
| 1975 | 49.81 | +1.02 pp |
| 1974 | 48.8 | +7.64 pp |
| 1973 | 41.15 | +0.38 pp |
| 1972 | 40.77 | +0.27 pp |
| 1971 | 40.5 | +0.71 pp |
| 1970 | 39.79 | +0.16 pp |
| 1969 | 39.62 | −1.67 pp |
| 1968 | 41.29 | −1.2 pp |
| 1967 | 42.49 | +0.4 pp |
| 1966 | 42.09 | −3.42 pp |
| 1965 | 45.52 | −0.43 pp |
| 1964 | 45.95 | +0.97 pp |
| 1963 | 44.98 | +1.62 pp |
| 1962 | 43.35 | −0.4 pp |
| 1961 | 43.75 | −3.11 pp |
| 1960 | 46.86 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
The sum of exports and imports of goods and services as a percent of GDP — the standard indicator of the trade openness of an economy. Values above 100% are not an anomaly: they mean that trade turnover exceeds annual GDP, which is typical of trading hubs and of small economies built into supply chains.
Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.
Merchandise exports plus imports as a percent of GDP — without services.
Trade Exports (% of GDP)How far the economy is oriented toward external markets.
Trade Imports (% of GDP)How far the economy depends on supplies from abroad.
Trade Trade balanceThe difference between exports and imports of goods and services. A minus means imports are larger.
