Africa Eastern and Southern vs South Africa: Merchandise imports
Merchandise imports over time
- Africa Eastern and Southern
- South Africa
How they compare
Africa Eastern and Southern currently reports 337.80 billion current US$ against 128.08 billion current US$ in South Africa, a difference of 209.72 billion current US$.
That makes Africa Eastern and Southern's figure about 2.6 times South Africa's.
Across all 66 years both countries report, Africa Eastern and Southern has been ahead every year.
Africa Eastern and Southern ranks 39th and South Africa ranks 37th of 47 groups.
Africa Eastern and Southern has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Africa Eastern and Southern | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4.97 billion current US$ | 2.23 billion current US$ | 2.74 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
| 1970s | 14.22 billion current US$ | 6.36 billion current US$ | 7.86 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
| 1980s | 33.87 billion current US$ | 16.95 billion current US$ | 16.92 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
| 1990s | 49.50 billion current US$ | 25.00 billion current US$ | 24.50 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
| 2000s | 118.16 billion current US$ | 58.56 billion current US$ | 59.60 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
| 2010s | 252.55 billion current US$ | 111.61 billion current US$ | 140.94 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
| 2020s | 294.38 billion current US$ | 119.43 billion current US$ | 174.96 billion current US$ | Africa Eastern and Southern |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher merchandise imports, Africa Eastern and Southern or South Africa?
- Africa Eastern and Southern, at 337.80 billion current US$ against 128.08 billion current US$ in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in merchandise imports between Africa Eastern and Southern and South Africa?
- 209.72 billion current US$, with Africa Eastern and Southern ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Africa Eastern and Southern and South Africa?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do Africa Eastern and Southern and South Africa rank globally for merchandise imports?
- Africa Eastern and Southern ranks 39th and South Africa ranks 37th of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Trade Organization (WTO), published as Merchandise imports (current US$). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Merchandise imports includes goods whose economic ownership is changed from a non-resident to a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e. 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.