High-technology exports in South Africa
South Africa: High-technology exports was 2.45 billion current US$ in 2024. ▬ Flat
High-technology exports in South Africa, 2007–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2.45 billion current US$ for high-technology exports in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.8% on the previous year and down 12.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, high-technology exports in South Africa peaked at 2.86 billion current US$ in 2012 and was at its lowest, 1.48 billion current US$, in 2009.
That places South Africa 47th out of 176 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
High-technology exports in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1.93 billion current US$ | — |
| 2008 | 2.09 billion current US$ | +8.1% |
| 2009 | 1.48 billion current US$ | -29.0% |
| 2010 | 2.50 billion current US$ | +68.5% |
| 2011 | 2.75 billion current US$ | +9.9% |
| 2012 | 2.86 billion current US$ | +4.2% |
| 2013 | 2.62 billion current US$ | -8.6% |
| 2014 | 2.81 billion current US$ | +7.3% |
| 2015 | 2.81 billion current US$ | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 2.40 billion current US$ | -14.7% |
| 2017 | 2.20 billion current US$ | -8.3% |
| 2018 | 2.09 billion current US$ | -4.8% |
| 2019 | 1.83 billion current US$ | -12.4% |
| 2020 | 1.84 billion current US$ | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 2.42 billion current US$ | +31.8% |
| 2022 | 2.49 billion current US$ | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 2.22 billion current US$ | -11.2% |
| 2024 | 2.45 billion current US$ | +10.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2.45 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 177.69 million current US$, 13.8× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2.45 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7.91 million current US$, 310.1× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.84 billion current US$ | 1.48 billion current US$ | 2.09 billion current US$ | 3 |
| 2010s | 2.49 billion current US$ | 1.83 billion current US$ | 2.86 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.28 billion current US$ | 1.84 billion current US$ | 2.49 billion current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More private sector data for South Africa
- Merchandise trade 57.2% (2025)
- Food imports 7.2% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 62.1% (2025)
- Merchandise imports 128.08 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 12.8% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 38.3% (2025)
- Merchandise exports 116.40 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 1,798 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.2725 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate 5.74 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is high-technology exports in South Africa?
- High-technology exports in South Africa was 2.45 billion current US$ in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest high-technology exports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.86 billion current US$ in 2012.
- What is the lowest high-technology exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.48 billion current US$ in 2009.
- How does South Africa rank for high-technology exports?
- South Africa ranks 47th out of 176 countries with data for 2024.
- Is high-technology exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), published as part of High-technology exports (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
High-technology exports are products with high R&D intensity, such as aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery.