Medium and high-tech exports (% manufactured exports) in South Africa
South Africa: Medium and high-tech exports (% manufactured exports) was 45.8% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Medium and high-tech exports in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) database, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Measured in % manufactured exports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for medium and high-tech exports in South Africa is 45.8%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 2.6% on the previous year and down 0.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, medium and high-tech exports in South Africa peaked at 51.1% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 27.5%, in 1993.
That places South Africa 50th out of 153 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
Medium and high-tech exports (% manufactured exports) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % manufactured exports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 31.0% | — |
| 1991 | 31.0% | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 31.0% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 27.5% | -11.3% |
| 1994 | 29.0% | +5.6% |
| 1995 | 32.2% | +10.7% |
| 1996 | 31.1% | -3.2% |
| 1997 | 30.7% | -1.3% |
| 1998 | 35.6% | +15.9% |
| 1999 | 41.0% | +15.2% |
| 2000 | 40.0% | -2.5% |
| 2001 | 42.8% | +7.0% |
| 2002 | 44.7% | +4.4% |
| 2003 | 45.9% | +2.8% |
| 2004 | 48.0% | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 47.6% | -0.9% |
| 2006 | 47.8% | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 49.5% | +3.6% |
| 2008 | 51.1% | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 46.5% | -9.0% |
| 2010 | 45.7% | -1.7% |
| 2011 | 43.7% | -4.3% |
| 2012 | 44.7% | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 43.6% | -2.4% |
| 2014 | 46.1% | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 49.9% | +8.4% |
| 2016 | 50.6% | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 46.8% | -7.3% |
| 2018 | 46.0% | -1.8% |
| 2019 | 46.0% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 45.1% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 45.3% | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 45.2% | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 47.0% | +3.9% |
| 2024 | 45.8% | -2.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 45.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 32.9%, 1.4× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 45.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.1%, 2.5× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32.0% | 27.5% | 41.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 46.4% | 40.0% | 51.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.3% | 43.6% | 50.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 45.7% | 45.1% | 47.0% | 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)
- Commercial service imports 21.49 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 12.8% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 38.3% (2025)
- Merchandise exports 116.40 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 17.80 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 1,798 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is medium and high-tech exports in South Africa?
- Medium and high-tech exports in South Africa was 45.8% in 2024, according to Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) database, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
- What is the highest medium and high-tech exports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 51.1% in 2008.
- What is the lowest medium and high-tech exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.5% in 1993.
- How does South Africa rank for medium and high-tech exports?
- South Africa ranks 50th out of 153 countries with data for 2024.
- Is medium and high-tech exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) database, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), published as part of Medium and high-tech exports (% manufactured exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of medium and high-tech manufactured exports in total manufactured exports.