Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South in South Africa
South Africa: Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South was 7.4% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South in South Africa, 1998–2023
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2023, merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in South Africa stood at 7.4%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and up 32.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in South Africa peaked at 7.6% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 2000.
That places South Africa 31st out of 205 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2.1% | — |
| 1999 | 1.6% | -20.5% |
| 2000 | 1.2% | -27.9% |
| 2001 | 1.2% | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 1.3% | +7.3% |
| 2003 | 1.4% | +11.6% |
| 2004 | 1.7% | +20.4% |
| 2005 | 2.3% | +32.0% |
| 2006 | 2.6% | +13.5% |
| 2007 | 2.3% | -11.1% |
| 2008 | 2.8% | +20.5% |
| 2009 | 3.1% | +11.5% |
| 2010 | 3.8% | +23.6% |
| 2011 | 4.3% | +12.5% |
| 2012 | 4.8% | +12.1% |
| 2013 | 5.6% | +16.3% |
| 2014 | 5.0% | -10.9% |
| 2015 | 5.4% | +9.1% |
| 2016 | 4.6% | -15.8% |
| 2017 | 5.1% | +11.5% |
| 2018 | 4.5% | -11.7% |
| 2019 | 5.3% | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 5.7% | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 6.2% | +8.6% |
| 2022 | 7.6% | +22.9% |
| 2023 | 7.4% | -2.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 7.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.0%, 3.6× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 7.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7.0%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.8% | 1.6% | 2.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 2.0% | 1.2% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.8% | 3.8% | 5.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.7% | 5.7% | 7.6% | 4 |
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 merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in South Africa?
- Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south in South Africa was 7.4% in 2023, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 7.6% in 2022.
- What is the lowest merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south?
- South Africa ranks 31st out of 205 countries with data for 2023.
- Is merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in south rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), published as part of Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South Asia (% of total merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in South Asia are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the South Asia region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.