South Africa Current Account to GDP
-0.4%▲ +0.22 pt
Dec 2025 · Annual
South Africa's current account deficit narrowed to 0.42% of GDP in 2025 from 0.64% in 2024. The deficit remains well below the all-time low of -6.36% recorded in 1971 and far from the all-time high of 5.29% in 1987. Data are available from 1960.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.4% | -0.6% | 5.3%Dec 1987 | -6.4%Dec 1971 | 1960 – 2025 | Annual |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDI Inflows | $-2.2B | $2.3B | $40.7B | $-2.2B | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| Exchange Rate | 16.46 per USD | 16.40 per USD | 19.05 per USD | 0.67 per USD | Jul 2026 | Monthly |
About this series
Current Account to GDP in South Africa averaged -1.4% from 1960 until 2025, reaching an all-time high of 5.3% in Dec 1987 and a record low of -6.4% in Dec 1971. The series is reported yearly with history from 1960.
The current account balance as a percentage of GDP measures the net flow of goods, services, and transfers relative to the size of the economy. A negative value indicates a deficit. It is reported annually for South Africa. The series spans from 1960 to 2025.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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