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Africa

South Africa

Full profile

GDP of $427 bn in 2025, real growth of 1.1% and inflation of 3.2%, by the IMF’s figures.

In January–August 2026 the U.S. bought $7.9B of goods from South Africa and sold it $4.6B, a deficit of $3.3B, and JFK International Airport, NY handled the most of it (46.0% of the trade through listed ports).

Overview

South Africa in figures

The latest figure each source reports. Annual figures come from one international source on one definition for every country, so they compare across this site’s country pages.

Output

IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank, annual

GDP, current U.S. dollars
$427 bn
2025 · +6.5% on 2024
IMF ›
Real GDP, 2015 U.S. dollars
$370 bn
2025 · +1.1% on 2024
World Bank ›
Real GDP growth
1.1%
2025 · +0.6 pp on 2024
IMF ›
GDP per person
$6,769
2025 · +6.4% on 2024
IMF ›
GDP per person, PPP
$16,319 PPP
2025 · +3.6% on 2024
IMF ›
Population
64.7 m
2025 · +1.2% on 2024
World Bank ›

Prices and jobs

IMF and World Bank (ILO modelled estimates), annual

Inflation, annual average
3.2%
2025 · −1.2 pp on 2024
IMF ›
Unemployment rate
32.4%
2025 · −0.2 pp on 2024
IMF ›
Labour force participation
55.6%
2025 · 0.0 pp on 2024
World Bank ›
Employment to population
37.6%
2025 · −0.1 pp on 2024
World Bank ›

Public finances and the external account

IMF and World Bank, annual, % of GDP

Government gross debt
78.4%
2025 · +2.4 pp on 2024
IMF ›
Government balance
−5.6%
2025 · +0.1 pp on 2024
IMF ›
Current account balance
−0.5%
2025 · +0.2 pp on 2024
IMF ›
Exports of goods and services
31.4%
2025 · −0.4 pp on 2024
World Bank ›
Imports of goods and services
29.5%
2025 · −0.4 pp on 2024
World Bank ›

Latest readings

OECD, quarterly and monthly

Real GDP, quarter on quarter
−0.2%
Q2 2026 · −0.7 pp on Q1 2026
OECD ›
Real GDP, year on year
0.9%
Q2 2026 · −1.1 pp on Q1 2026
OECD ›
Consumer prices, year on year
4.2%
Aug 2026 · +0.1 pp on Jul 2026
OECD ›

Sectors

What the economy produces

Each sector’s value added as a share of GDP, and how fast it grew in real terms. World Bank, annual.

Value added, % of GDP, 2025
  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing2.8%

    2.2% in 2015 (+0.6 pp)

  • Industry, including construction24.1%

    23.7% in 2015 (+0.4 pp)

  • of which Manufacturing12.3%

    12.5% in 2015 (−0.3 pp)

  • Services63.1%

    64.1% in 2015 (−1.0 pp)

Real value added growth, % a year
SectorLatest5-year average
Agriculture, forestry and fishing17.4%20251.9%
Industry, including construction−1.6%20250.3%
Manufacturing−1.2%20251.0%
Services0.0%20252.0%

World Bank, World Development Indicators (national accounts). The five-year average is the compound annual rate over the last five years with figures, calculated by CK Economics.

Outlook

Where the IMF and CK see it going

The IMF’s World Economic Outlook projections next to the last two years it reports, and CK Economics’ own backtested forecasts, labelled as ours, in a table of their own.

IMF forecast

World Economic Outlook, October 2026. Shaded columns from 2026 on are the IMF’s projections, not CK Economics’.

IMF World Economic Outlook figures and projections
Indicator202420252026IMF forecast →2027 (IMF forecast)2028 (IMF forecast)2029 (IMF forecast)2030 (IMF forecast)Trend
Real GDP growth, %0.51.11.01.31.51.71.8
Inflation, annual average, %4.43.24.43.93.33.03.0
Unemployment rate, %32.632.433.233.032.732.432.0
Government balance, % of GDP−5.7−5.6−4.4−3.9−3.9−3.7−3.5
Government gross debt, % of GDP76.078.478.078.178.879.579.7
Current account balance, % of GDP−0.7−0.5−0.7−0.9−1.1−1.5−1.7

International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook, via the IMF DataMapper. Years before 2026 are the IMF’s reported series, which for some countries include staff estimates.

CK forecast

A baseline forecast, not a scenario: an ensemble of statistical models and the IMF’s forecast, published only where its backtest beat naive. Ranges are 80%.

CK Economics forecasts with 80% ranges
Indicator202620272028
Real GDP growth, %1.00.4 to 2.61.3−1.5 to 3.41.5−0.6 to 4.0
Inflation, %4.43.8 to 4.84.01.3 to 6.53.71.0 to 7.2
Unemployment rate, %Withheld: in the backtest it was no better than assuming no change

CK Economics, from the IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. Scorecards and past forecasts →

Trade

U.S. trade with South Africa

U.S. Census Bureau goods trade between South Africa and the United States, by month, U.S. port and product.

National totals · January–August 2026

All U.S. customs districts. Imports are general imports; exports are total exports.

Imports
$7.9B
−36.9% y/y
Exports
$4.6B
+7.8% y/y
Total trade
$12.5B
−25.5% y/y
U.S. deficit
$3.3B
$4.9B smaller than a year earlier
Share of U.S. trade
0.31%
41st of 233 partners

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API (goods trade by country, national and by U.S. port); released 2026-10-16; retrieved 2026-10-16. Not seasonally adjusted.

Official statisticCK estimateSource figures as of October 16, 2026Sources & methods
Period covered
January–August 2026
Source figures as of
October 16, 2026
Geography
U.S. trade with South Africa, all U.S. customs districts
Sector
International trade in goods
Seasonal adjustment
Not seasonally adjusted
Transformations
Monthly values summed over the period by CK Economics. Total trade (imports + exports), balance, share of U.S. trade, rank and year-on-year changes calculated by CK Economics
Revisions
When Census publishes a new month, CK re-collects the previous 12; older months are re-collected after Census’s annual revision each June, or sooner if Census’s totals for them change. Revised figures replace earlier ones.
Data status
Each month passes CK’s release checks (complete, totals reconcile with Census’s, no sharp jumps) before it is published.
Limitations
Goods only, not services. General imports at customs value, total exports at f.a.s. value.

Full method · Research standards

Port subtotals

U.S. ports handling trade with South Africa

Download these rows (CSV)

The 154 ports listed cover 98.3% of national trade ($12.3B of $12.5B). Another 1.7% went by mail, low-value shipments or through ports Census doesn’t name.

U.S. goods trade with South Africa by U.S. port, January–August 2026
U.S. port, activate to sortImports, activate to sortExports, activate to sortTotal trade, sorted descending; activate to reverseBalance, activate to sortShare of listed-port trade, activate to sortTrade y/y, activate to sort
JFK International Airport, NY1012Mainly air$5.5B$145.1M$5.7B−$5.4B46.0%−39.0%
Newark, NJ1003Mainly vessel$343.6M$497.8M$841.4M$154.2M6.8%−27.6%
Houston, TX5301Mainly vessel$153.9M$565.0M$718.9M$411.1M5.9%−20.3%
New Orleans, LA2002Mainly air$289.8M$396.4M$686.2M$106.6M5.6%+15.2%
Baltimore, MD1303Mainly vessel$348.5M$85.3M$433.9M−$263.2M3.5%+2.7%
New York, NY1001Mainly vessel$6.6M$364.1M$370.8M$357.5M3.0%+93.5%
Charleston, SC1601Mainly vessel$78.9M$239.2M$318.1M$160.3M2.6%−32.2%
Chicago, IL3901Mainly air$28.0M$274.8M$302.8M$246.8M2.5%−12.1%
Brunswick, GA1701Mainly vessel$112.2M$115.1M$227.4M$2.9M1.9%−12.1%
Savannah, GA1703Mainly vessel$55.5M$159.4M$214.9M$103.8M1.7%+89.4%
Brownsville, TX2301Mainly land/other$206.0M$0$206.0M−$206.0M1.7%−36.4%
Los Angeles, CA2704Mainly vessel$144.5M$30.1M$174.6M−$114.4M1.4%+8.3%
Norfolk-Newport News, VA1401Mainly vessel$31.6M$116.5M$148.1M$84.9M1.2%−55.5%
Atlanta, GA1704Mainly air$9.3M$131.2M$140.5M$121.9M1.1%−2.8%
Mobile, AL1901Mainly vessel$125.6M$12.5M$138.0M−$113.1M1.1%−20.9%
Miami International Airport, FL5206Mainly air$18.6M$100.6M$119.2M$82.0M0.97%+43.6%
Corpus Christi, TX5312Mainly vessel$0$118.6M$118.6M$118.6M0.97%−48.4%
Los Angeles International Airport, CA2720Mainly air$39.2M$76.7M$115.9M$37.4M0.94%−4.4%
Cleveland, OH4101Mainly air$26.2M$77.3M$103.5M$51.0M0.84%+4.9%
Texas City, TX5306Mainly vessel$0$97.2M$97.2M$97.2M0.79%None a year earlier
Lake Charles, LA2017Mainly vessel$14.6M$79.6M$94.2M$65.0M0.77%+242.1%
Gramercy, LA2010Mainly vessel$0$80.9M$80.9M$80.9M0.66%+480.7%
Philadelphia, PA1101Mainly vessel$78.6M$1.5M$80.1M−$77.2M0.65%−35.7%
Pascagoula, MS1903Mainly vessel$0$79.3M$79.3M$79.3M0.65%+55.4%
Oakland, CA2811Mainly vessel$23.6M$43.4M$67.0M$19.8M0.55%−6.4%
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX5501Mainly air$6.9M$44.7M$51.6M$37.8M0.42%+13.4%
Detroit, MI3801Mainly land/other$46.7M$2.0M$48.7M−$44.7M0.40%+679.3%
Houston Intercontinental Airport, TX5309Mainly air$5.5M$42.5M$48.0M$37.1M0.39%−57.9%
Bangor, ME0102Mixed$2.0M$30.6M$32.6M$28.6M0.27%+55.0%
Melbourne Regional Airport, FL1885Mainly land/other$0$32.0M$32.0M$32.0M0.26%None a year earlier
Tulsa, OK5505Mainly land/other$6.4K$31.7M$31.7M$31.7M0.26%−32.6%
Washington, DC5401Mainly air$4.7M$26.4M$31.1M$21.7M0.25%+14.4%
Longview, WA2905Mainly vessel$0$28.7M$28.7M$28.7M0.23%None a year earlier
Port Everglades, FL5203Mainly vessel$23.7M$1.4M$25.2M−$22.3M0.20%−60.6%
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY0901Mainly land/other$1.8M$21.9M$23.6M$20.1M0.19%+40.7%
Beaufort-Morehead City, NC1511Mainly vessel$0$23.4M$23.4M$23.4M0.19%None a year earlier
San Francisco International Airport, CA2801Mainly air$5.2M$17.5M$22.6M$12.3M0.18%+13.3%
Port Arthur, TX2101Mainly vessel$0$21.6M$21.6M$21.6M0.18%+46.3%
Wilmington, NC1501Mainly vessel$21.0M$0$21.0M−$21.0M0.17%−58.8%
Seattle, WA3001Mainly vessel$14.0M$6.6M$20.6M−$7.4M0.17%−13.7%
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, WA3029Mainly air$3.7M$15.8M$19.5M$12.0M0.16%−15.4%
Jacksonville, FL1803Mainly vessel$9.6M$9.7M$19.3M$58.6K0.16%+69.7%
Logan Airport, MA0417Mainly air$8.7M$10.5M$19.2M$1.7M0.16%−38.3%
Galveston, TX5310Mainly vessel$0$16.5M$16.5M$16.5M0.13%+864.0%
Wichita, KS4504Mainly air$0$16.3M$16.3M$16.3M0.13%+382.7%
Long Beach, CA2709Mainly vessel$10.5M$4.8M$15.4M−$5.7M0.13%+9.1%
Chester, PA1102Mainly vessel$1.1M$12.2M$13.3M$11.0M0.11%+1233.9%
Orlando, FL1808Mainly air$1.4M$11.8M$13.2M$10.4M0.11%−31.8%
Denver, CO3307Mainly land/other$3.5M$8.5M$12.1M$5.0M0.10%−30.5%
Miami, FL5201Mainly vessel$3.9M$7.0M$10.9M$3.1M0.09%−18.7%
Tacoma, WA3002Mainly vessel$4.1M$5.9M$10.0M$1.8M0.08%−38.6%
Philadelphia International Airport, PA1108Mainly air$1.5M$8.0M$9.5M$6.5M0.08%−26.6%
Portsmouth, NH0131Mainly vessel$0$7.4M$7.4M$7.4M0.06%None a year earlier
Salt Lake City, UT3303Mainly air$2.0M$4.9M$6.9M$2.9M0.06%+13.9%
Memphis, TN2006Mainly land/other$41.9K$6.2M$6.2M$6.1M0.05%+63.7%
Austin, TX5506Mainly air$455.1K$5.7M$6.2M$5.3M0.05%−36.3%
Huntsville, AL1910Mainly air$5.2M$950.0K$6.2M−$4.3M0.05%+1889.3%
Duluth, MN - Superior, WI3510Mainly vessel$0$6.0M$6.0M$6.0M0.05%None a year earlier
Anchorage, AK3126Mainly air$2.6M$3.2M$5.8M$600.1K0.05%+31.7%
Baton Rouge, LA2004Mainly vessel$5.7M$0$5.7M−$5.7M0.05%−69.7%
Laredo, TX2304Mainly land/other$5.0M$509.6K$5.5M−$4.4M0.04%−27.6%
Green Bay, WI3703Mainly land/other$0$5.1M$5.1M$5.1M0.04%+10754.3%
Detroit Metropolitan Airport, MI3807Mainly air$1.9M$3.0M$4.9M$1.1M0.04%−7.7%
Port Huron, MI3802Mainly land/other$2.5M$2.1M$4.6M−$429.2K0.04%−50.4%
Phoenix, AZ2605Mainly air$899.4K$3.5M$4.4M$2.6M0.04%−32.9%
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN3501Mainly land/other$166.4K$4.0M$4.2M$3.8M0.03%+56.9%
Cincinnati-Lawrenceburg, OH4102Mainly air$1.1M$2.9M$4.0M$1.8M0.03%−78.8%
Las Vegas, NV2722Mainly air$822.9K$2.7M$3.6M$1.9M0.03%+155.4%
Oakland-Pontiac Airport, MI3881Mainly air$0$3.0M$3.0M$3.0M0.02%None a year earlier
Nogales, AZ2604Mainly land/other$2.4M$0$2.4M−$2.4M0.02%+6.8%
Nashville, TN2007Mainly air$246.9K$2.2M$2.4M$1.9M0.02%−36.5%
Freeport, TX5311Mainly vessel$352.2K$1.1M$1.5M$747.8K0.01%+166.0%
San Francisco, CA2809Mainly vessel$1.1M$137.7K$1.3M−$988.7K0.01%−47.2%
Eagle Pass, TX2303Mainly land/other$1.1M$0$1.1M−$1.1M0.01%+489.6%
Charlotte, NC1512Mainly air$684.2K$326.6K$1.0M−$357.5K0.01%−23.2%
San Juan International Airport, PR4913Mainly air$56.1K$853.4K$909.6K$797.3K0.01%−42.1%
Fort Worth Alliance Airport, TX5583Mainly air$0$877.7K$877.7K$877.7K0.01%+29.5%
Boston, MA0401Mainly vessel$662.9K$210.3K$873.2K−$452.5K0.01%−27.6%
Tampa, FL1801Mainly vessel$477.4K$326.1K$803.5K−$151.3K0.01%−54.1%
Indianapolis, IN4110Mainly air$92.1K$681.5K$773.6K$589.3K0.01%+63.2%
Grand Rapids, MI3806Mainly land/other$0$762.4K$762.4K$762.4K0.01%+9355.3%
Alexandria Bay, NY0708Mainly land/other$745.2K$0$745.2K−$745.2K0.01%+723.2%
Salem, MA0408Mainly air$664.4K$0$664.4K−$664.4K0.01%None a year earlier
Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, FL5210Mainly air$0$625.2K$625.2K$625.2K0.01%−74.7%
Port Lavaca, TX5313Mainly vessel$0$622.1K$622.1K$622.1K0.01%−83.9%
Blaine, WA3004Mainly land/other$333.1K$183.3K$516.4K−$149.7K<0.01%+231.0%
Bellingham, WA3005Mainly vessel$0$454.5K$454.5K$454.5K<0.01%−12.6%
San Juan, PR4909Mainly vessel$0$442.0K$442.0K$442.0K<0.01%−86.1%
San Diego, CA2501Mainly vessel$107.0K$298.0K$405.0K$190.9K<0.01%−11.6%
West Palm Beach, FL5204Mainly vessel$363.1K$19.5K$382.6K−$343.7K<0.01%−94.9%
Orlando-Sanford Airport, FL1809Mainly air$12.9K$355.4K$368.3K$342.4K<0.01%+1329.4%
Des Moines, IA3513Mainly air$2.3K$343.4K$345.7K$341.0K<0.01%+2762.1%
Kansas City, MO4501Mainly land/other$0$333.3K$333.3K$333.3K<0.01%+378.1%
Portal, ND3403Mainly land/other$24.9K$305.7K$330.6K$280.8K<0.01%+1736.8%
Portland International Airport, WA2910Mainly air$47.3K$225.3K$272.6K$178.0K<0.01%−82.5%
Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT0212Mainly land/other$2.0K$230.5K$232.6K$228.5K<0.01%−43.5%
Sioux Falls, SD3502Mainly air$1.7K$230.1K$231.8K$228.3K<0.01%+1.0%
San Antonio, TX5507Mainly air$0$228.7K$228.7K$228.7K<0.01%−20.3%
Honolulu International Airport, HI3205Mainly air$174.8K$51.3K$226.1K−$123.4K<0.01%+306.8%
Louisville, KY4115Mainly air$0$217.8K$217.8K$217.8K<0.01%+3.3%
Pittsburgh, PA1104Mainly air$0$207.3K$207.3K$207.3K<0.01%−90.6%
Manchester User Fee Airport, NH0182Mainly air$0$162.9K$162.9K$162.9K<0.01%+26.7%
Champlain-Rouses Point, NY0712Mainly land/other$149.7K$0$149.7K−$149.7K<0.01%−88.6%
Portland, OR2904Mainly vessel$36.5K$110.0K$146.5K$73.5K<0.01%+215.1%
Sweetgrass, MT3310Mainly land/other$143.7K$0$143.7K−$143.7K<0.01%−85.7%
Everett, WA3006Mainly land/other$0$143.0K$143.0K$143.0K<0.01%+376.9%
Alcan, AK3104Mainly land/other$136.8K$0$136.8K−$136.8K<0.01%+804.1%
Calexico, CA2503Mainly land/other$0$136.4K$136.4K$136.4K<0.01%−57.2%
Orange, TX2103Mainly vessel$0$128.2K$128.2K$128.2K<0.01%None a year earlier
Durham, NC1503Mainly air$469$110.8K$111.2K$110.3K<0.01%−34.2%
Greenville-Spartanburg, SC1603Mainly land/other$105.2K$0$105.2K−$105.2K<0.01%−92.2%
Charlotte Amalie, VI5101Mixed$93.9K$0$93.9K−$93.9K<0.01%+1090.5%
Sacramento International Airport, CA2835Mainly air$0$91.6K$91.6K$91.6K<0.01%+22.5%
Rockford Airport, IL3909Mainly air$0$89.8K$89.8K$89.8K<0.01%+31984.3%
Baltimore-Washington International Airport, MD1305Mainly air$30.1K$57.3K$87.5K$27.2K<0.01%−73.8%
Tucson, AZ2609Mainly air$0$77.0K$77.0K$77.0K<0.01%−99.5%
Birmingham, AL1904Mainly air$73.2K$0$73.2K−$73.2K<0.01%−98.9%
Grand Portage, MN3613Mainly land/other$49.5K$18.1K$67.6K−$31.5K<0.01%+2488.1%
El Paso, TX2402Mainly land/other$60.0K$0$60.0K−$60.0K<0.01%+177.5%
Knoxville, TN2016Mainly air$0$57.9K$57.9K$57.9K<0.01%−47.2%
International Falls-Ranier, MN3604Mainly land/other$57.5K$0$57.5K−$57.5K<0.01%None a year earlier
Rochester, NY0903Mixed$0$50.2K$50.2K$50.2K<0.01%None a year earlier
Calais, ME0115Mainly land/other$46.5K$0$46.5K−$46.5K<0.01%+17134.4%
Derby Line, VT0209Mainly land/other$43.0K$0$43.0K−$43.0K<0.01%−58.0%
Atlantic City User Fee Airport, NJ1182Mainly air$0$37.2K$37.2K$37.2K<0.01%None a year earlier
Chicago Midway Int'l Airport, IL3910Mainly air$0$36.4K$36.4K$36.4K<0.01%None a year earlier
Bozeman Yellowstone User Fee Airport, Belgrade, MT3386Mainly air$0$34.1K$34.1K$34.1K<0.01%None a year earlier
Harrisburg, PA1109Mainly air$0$33.9K$33.9K$33.9K<0.01%None a year earlier
Aguadilla, PR4901Mainly air$33.1K$0$33.1K−$33.1K<0.01%+257.8%
Albuquerque, NM2407Mainly air$32.0K$0$32.0K−$32.0K<0.01%None a year earlier
Jackman, ME0104Mainly land/other$30.6K$0$30.6K−$30.6K<0.01%None a year earlier
Boise, ID2907Mainly air$0$25.2K$25.2K$25.2K<0.01%−35.0%
Hartford, CT0411Mainly air$0$24.7K$24.7K$24.7K<0.01%None a year earlier
Pembina, ND3401Mainly land/other$19.4K$0$19.4K−$19.4K<0.01%−97.7%
Sumas, WA3009Mainly land/other$18.9K$0$18.9K−$18.9K<0.01%−80.2%
St. Louis, MO4503Mainly land/other$8.0K$10.8K$18.9K$2.8K<0.01%+49.3%
Ontario International Airport, CA2721Mainly air$0$17.1K$17.1K$17.1K<0.01%+100.2%
Addison Airport, Dallas, TX5584Mainly air$16.9K$0$16.9K−$16.9K<0.01%None a year earlier
Chicago Executive Airport, IL3983Mainly air$0$13.8K$13.8K$13.8K<0.01%+20.0%
Ysleta, TX2401Mainly land/other$13.5K$0$13.5K−$13.5K<0.01%None a year earlier
Otay Mesa, CA2506Mainly land/other$10.2K$0$10.2K−$10.2K<0.01%−12.5%
Hidalgo, TX2305Mainly land/other$9.2K$0$9.2K−$9.2K<0.01%None a year earlier
Houlton, ME0106Mainly land/other$8.8K$0$8.8K−$8.8K<0.01%−75.6%
Albany, NY1002Mainly vessel$0$8.3K$8.3K$8.3K<0.01%None a year earlier
Eastport, ID3302Mainly land/other$7.3K$0$7.3K−$7.3K<0.01%−47.2%
Honolulu, HI3201Mainly vessel$6.8K$0$6.8K−$6.8K<0.01%−59.9%
Reno, NV2833Mainly air$0$6.5K$6.5K$6.5K<0.01%None a year earlier
Newport, OR2902Mainly vessel$0$5.6K$5.6K$5.6K<0.01%None a year earlier
Calexico-East, CA2507Mainly land/other$5.2K$0$5.2K−$5.2K<0.01%None a year earlier
FedEx Corp Honolulu, HI3279Mainly air$5.1K$0$5.1K−$5.1K<0.01%−77.8%
Davenport, IA-Rock Island, IL3908Mainly air$0$3.6K$3.6K$3.6K<0.01%−86.9%
Richmond-Petersburg, VA1404Mainly land/other$3.6K$0$3.6K−$3.6K<0.01%−97.1%
San Jose International Airport, CA2834Mainly air$0$3.5K$3.5K$3.5K<0.01%−85.1%
Columbus, OH4103Mainly land/other$0$2.9K$2.9K$2.9K<0.01%−97.9%

Port figures are subtotals: they add up to the listed-port total, not the national total above. Shares are of trade through the ports listed. Main mode is each port’s mode by trade value over the latest twelve months, not its gateway type. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API (goods trade by country, national and by U.S. port); released 2026-10-16; retrieved 2026-10-16. Not seasonally adjusted.

Official statisticCK estimateSource figures as of October 16, 2026Sources & methods
Period covered
January–August 2026
Source figures as of
October 16, 2026
Geography
Listed U.S. ports of entry and exit handling trade with South Africa
Sector
International trade in goods
Seasonal adjustment
Not seasonally adjusted
Transformations
Monthly values summed over the period by CK Economics. Total trade (imports + exports), balance, shares of the listed-port total, ranks and year-on-year changes calculated by CK Economics
Revisions
When Census publishes a new month, CK re-collects the previous 12; older months are re-collected after Census’s annual revision each June, or sooner if Census’s totals for them change. Revised figures replace earlier ones.
Data status
Each month passes CK’s release checks (complete, totals reconcile with Census’s, no sharp jumps) before it is published.
Limitations
Goods only, not services. General imports at customs value, total exports at f.a.s. value. Port figures are subtotals and don’t add up to the national total. Listed ports only: Census’s pseudo-ports (mail, low-value shipments, vessels under their own power) and unnamed ports are left out.

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Largest ports for trade with South Africa, by trade

U.S. dollars · January–August 2026 · port subtotals

  • Imports
  • Exports
  • JFK International Airport, NY
    Imports: $5.5B
    Exports: $145.1M
  • Newark, NJ
    Imports: $343.6M
    Exports: $497.8M
  • Houston, TX
    Imports: $153.9M
    Exports: $565.0M
  • New Orleans, LA
    Imports: $289.8M
    Exports: $396.4M
  • Baltimore, MD
    Imports: $348.5M
    Exports: $85.3M
  • New York, NY
    Imports: $6.6M
    Exports: $364.1M
  • Charleston, SC
    Imports: $78.9M
    Exports: $239.2M
  • Chicago, IL
    Imports: $28.0M
    Exports: $274.8M
  • Brunswick, GA
    Imports: $112.2M
    Exports: $115.1M
  • Savannah, GA
    Imports: $55.5M
    Exports: $159.4M

Top 10 = 79.5% of U.S. trade with South Africa through the ports listed.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API (goods trade by country, national and by U.S. port); released 2026-10-16; retrieved 2026-10-16. Not seasonally adjusted.

Official statisticCK estimateSource figures as of October 16, 2026Sources & methods
Period covered
January–August 2026
Source figures as of
October 16, 2026
Geography
Listed U.S. ports of entry and exit handling trade with South Africa
Sector
International trade in goods
Seasonal adjustment
Not seasonally adjusted
Transformations
Monthly values summed over the period by CK Economics. Total trade (imports + exports), balance, shares of the listed-port total, ranks and year-on-year changes calculated by CK Economics
Revisions
When Census publishes a new month, CK re-collects the previous 12; older months are re-collected after Census’s annual revision each June, or sooner if Census’s totals for them change. Revised figures replace earlier ones.
Data status
Each month passes CK’s release checks (complete, totals reconcile with Census’s, no sharp jumps) before it is published.
Limitations
Goods only, not services. General imports at customs value, total exports at f.a.s. value. Port figures are subtotals and don’t add up to the national total. Listed ports only: Census’s pseudo-ports (mail, low-value shipments, vessels under their own power) and unnamed ports are left out.

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Largest ports for trade with South Africa, by trade, U.S. dollars · January–August 2026 · port subtotals
PortImportsExports
JFK International Airport, NY$5.5B$145.1M
Newark, NJ$343.6M$497.8M
Houston, TX$153.9M$565.0M
New Orleans, LA$289.8M$396.4M
Baltimore, MD$348.5M$85.3M
New York, NY$6.6M$364.1M
Charleston, SC$78.9M$239.2M
Chicago, IL$28.0M$274.8M
Brunswick, GA$112.2M$115.1M
Savannah, GA$55.5M$159.4M

Trade with South Africa by the ports’ main mode

U.S. dollars · January–August 2026 · every listed port

  • Imports
  • Exports
  • Mainly vessel
    Imports: $1.6B
    Exports: $2.8B
  • Mainly air
    Imports: $6.0B
    Exports: $1.4B
  • Mainly land/other
    Imports: $271.2M
    Exports: $116.2M
  • Mixed
    Imports: $2.1M
    Exports: $30.7M

Ports grouped by their main mode by trade value over the latest twelve months (vessel or air at least half; land/other when vessel and air together are under half; otherwise mixed). A port’s group says how most of its trade moves, not what kind of gateway it is.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API (goods trade by country, national and by U.S. port); released 2026-10-16; retrieved 2026-10-16. Not seasonally adjusted.

Official statisticCK estimateSource figures as of October 16, 2026Sources & methods
Period covered
January–August 2026
Source figures as of
October 16, 2026
Geography
Listed U.S. ports handling trade with South Africa
Sector
International trade in goods
Seasonal adjustment
Not seasonally adjusted
Transformations
Monthly values summed over the period by CK Economics. Ports grouped by their main mode over the latest twelve months, and each group summed, by CK Economics
Revisions
When Census publishes a new month, CK re-collects the previous 12; older months are re-collected after Census’s annual revision each June, or sooner if Census’s totals for them change. Revised figures replace earlier ones.
Data status
Each month passes CK’s release checks (complete, totals reconcile with Census’s, no sharp jumps) before it is published.
Limitations
Goods only, not services. General imports at customs value, total exports at f.a.s. value. A port’s group says how most of its trade moves, not what kind of gateway it is.

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Trade with South Africa by the ports’ main mode, U.S. dollars · January–August 2026 · every listed port
Main mode by valueImportsExports
Mainly vessel$1.6B$2.8B
Mainly air$6.0B$1.4B
Mainly land/other$271.2M$116.2M
Mixed$2.1M$30.7M

Monthly U.S. imports from and exports to South Africa

U.S. dollars · January 2025–August 2026 · national totals

  • Imports
  • Exports

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API (goods trade by country, national and by U.S. port); released 2026-10-16; retrieved 2026-10-16. Not seasonally adjusted.

Official statisticSource figures as of October 16, 2026Sources & methods
Period covered
January 2025–August 2026
Source figures as of
October 16, 2026
Geography
U.S. trade with South Africa, all U.S. customs districts
Sector
International trade in goods
Seasonal adjustment
Not seasonally adjusted
Transformations
None: figures as published
Revisions
When Census publishes a new month, CK re-collects the previous 12; older months are re-collected after Census’s annual revision each June, or sooner if Census’s totals for them change. Revised figures replace earlier ones.
Data status
Each month passes CK’s release checks (complete, totals reconcile with Census’s, no sharp jumps) before it is published.
Limitations
Goods only, not services. General imports at customs value, total exports at f.a.s. value.

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Monthly U.S. imports from and exports to South Africa, U.S. dollars · January 2025–August 2026 · national totals
MonthImportsExports
Jan 2025$2.3B$377.3M
Feb 2025$3.3B$486.1M
Mar 2025$1.4B$616.8M
Apr 2025$840.2M$520.3M
May 2025$826.3M$663.8M
Jun 2025$827.6M$469.1M
Jul 2025$2.0B$547.5M
Aug 2025$1.0B$604.1M
Sep 2025$1.1B$574.0M
Oct 2025$1.1B$516.9M
Nov 2025$799.7M$470.7M
Dec 2025$991.6M$447.3M
Jan 2026$995.6M$375.6M
Feb 2026$839.3M$366.9M
Mar 2026$833.9M$782.5M
Apr 2026$817.3M$641.6M
May 2026$976.9M$863.7M
Jun 2026$1.2B$505.3M
Jul 2026$933.1M$478.7M
Aug 2026$1.3B$606.0M

Monthly U.S. goods balance with South Africa

U.S. dollars, exports − imports · January 2025–August 2026 · national totals

  • Deficit (below zero)
  • Surplus (above zero)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API (goods trade by country, national and by U.S. port); released 2026-10-16; retrieved 2026-10-16. Not seasonally adjusted.

Official statisticCK estimateSource figures as of October 16, 2026Sources & methods
Period covered
January 2025–August 2026
Source figures as of
October 16, 2026
Geography
U.S. trade with South Africa, all U.S. customs districts
Sector
International trade in goods
Seasonal adjustment
Not seasonally adjusted
Transformations
Balance (exports − imports) calculated by CK Economics
Revisions
When Census publishes a new month, CK re-collects the previous 12; older months are re-collected after Census’s annual revision each June, or sooner if Census’s totals for them change. Revised figures replace earlier ones.
Data status
Each month passes CK’s release checks (complete, totals reconcile with Census’s, no sharp jumps) before it is published.
Limitations
Goods only, not services. General imports at customs value, total exports at f.a.s. value.

Full method · Research standards

View data table
Monthly U.S. goods balance with South Africa, U.S. dollars, exports − imports · January 2025–August 2026 · national totals
MonthBalance
Jan 2025−$1.9B
Feb 2025−$2.9B
Mar 2025−$794.6M
Apr 2025−$319.8M
May 2025−$162.5M
Jun 2025−$358.5M
Jul 2025−$1.4B
Aug 2025−$398.7M
Sep 2025−$514.8M
Oct 2025−$572.9M
Nov 2025−$328.9M
Dec 2025−$544.3M
Jan 2026−$620.0M
Feb 2026−$472.4M
Mar 2026−$51.4M
Apr 2026−$175.6M
May 2026−$113.2M
Jun 2026−$664.0M
Jul 2026−$454.4M
Aug 2026−$707.1M

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South Africa: Labour force participation rate, women

Women aged 15 and over who are economically active, as a percentage of the female population aged 15 and over. ILO modelled estimate.

Official statisticSource figures as of October 8, 2026Sources & methods
Sources
World Bank
Period covered
1990 – 2025
Source figures as of
October 8, 2026
Geography
South Africa
Sector
Whole economy (not a single sector)
Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable
Transformations
None: figures as published
Revisions
Replaced with the source’s latest figures whenever it revises them.
Data status
Current

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Definitions

Read the figures alike

Every figure keeps its source’s definition; where two sound alike but are measured differently, the difference is here.

GDP in dollars
The IMF converts GDP at current prices at each year’s market exchange rate, so the dollar figure moves with the currency. GDP per person at purchasing power parity converts at the cost of the same basket of goods in every country instead, which suits comparisons of living standards. The World Bank’s GDP at constant 2015 prices takes price changes out, so it measures volume: use it, or the growth rates, to see how much output changed.
Growth
Annual growth (IMF) compares a whole year with the year before. The OECD’s quarterly figures are seasonally adjusted and compare a quarter with the previous quarter (not annualized) or with the same quarter a year earlier. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports quarterly growth at an annualized rate, roughly four times the quarter-on-quarter change. The three need not agree in any one period.
Inflation
The IMF’s annual inflation is the change in the average consumer price level over a whole year. The monthly figure compares one month with the same month a year earlier, so it turns sooner and swings more. Both use the national consumer price index.
Unemployment
The IMF’s annual unemployment rate follows each country’s national definition (age limits, what counts as looking for work), so levels are not strictly comparable across countries. Labour force participation and employment to population are ILO modelled estimates for everyone aged 15 and over, on one definition for every country; national figures, often for ages 16 to 64, are higher.
Trade
The Trade section is U.S. Census Bureau goods trade between this country and the United States only, month by month. Exports and imports as a share of GDP are the World Bank’s figures for goods and services with every partner. The current account (IMF) is the balance of goods and services trade with every partner plus income flows.
Sectors
Sector shares are value added as a percentage of GDP. They don’t add up to 100%: GDP also includes taxes less subsidies on products. Manufacturing is part of industry, which also covers mining, construction and utilities. Sector growth is the change in real value added at constant local-currency prices.
Latest values and forecasts
Each latest figure is the most recent period the source does not label a projection; for some countries the IMF’s latest years are its staff estimates. Values the IMF projects are labelled “IMF forecast” wherever they appear. They are the IMF’s, not CK Economics’.

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