Gross national expenditure in South Africa

South Africa: Gross national expenditure was 421.18 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
421.18 billion current US$
Change on year
up 7.2%
World rank
38th
of 185 countries
All-time high
458.11 billion current US$
in 2011
All-time low
7.68 billion current US$
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025

Gross national expenditure in South Africa, 1960–2025

0100.0B200.0B300.0B400.0B500.0B196019922025

Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current US$.

Analysis

The most recent figure for gross national expenditure in South Africa is 421.18 billion current US$, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.2% on the previous year and up 19.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, gross national expenditure in South Africa peaked at 458.11 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 7.68 billion current US$, in 1960.

South Africa ranks 38th of 185 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 11.56 billion current US$ 7.68 billion current US$ 17.45 billion current US$ 10
1970s 36.96 billion current US$ 20.02 billion current US$ 59.35 billion current US$ 10
1980s 87.64 billion current US$ 61.37 billion current US$ 106.98 billion current US$ 10
1990s 149.92 billion current US$ 126.12 billion current US$ 169.89 billion current US$ 10
2000s 238.68 billion current US$ 121.98 billion current US$ 328.68 billion current US$ 10
2010s 394.60 billion current US$ 322.13 billion current US$ 458.11 billion current US$ 10
2020s 384.42 billion current US$ 323.13 billion current US$ 421.18 billion current US$ 6

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 35 United Arab Emirates 437.58 billion current US$ compare
  2. 36 Pakistan 436.73 billion current US$ compare
  3. 37 Ireland 428.61 billion current US$ compare
  4. 39 Hong Kong 415.05 billion current US$ compare
  5. 40 Denmark 411.59 billion current US$ compare
  6. 41 Egypt 407.97 billion current US$ compare

See the full ranking of 228 places →

More economy & growth data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is gross national expenditure in South Africa?
Gross national expenditure in South Africa was 421.18 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
What is the highest gross national expenditure recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 458.11 billion current US$ in 2011.
What is the lowest gross national expenditure recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 7.68 billion current US$ in 1960.
How does South Africa rank for gross national expenditure?
South Africa ranks 38th out of 185 countries with data for 2025.
Is gross national expenditure rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 19.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of Gross national expenditure (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Gross national expenditure (current US$)
Unit
current US$
Source
Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
228 places, 10,837 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Gross national expenditure is the sum of household final consumption expenditure, general government final consumption expenditure, and gross capital formation. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.