South African GDP Growth History

Figures current at 27 September 2026. Source: TradeAnswers.

Real GDP growth by year
YearGrowthContext
20261.2%Reserve Bank forecast; rebound expected in the second half
20251.3%Power supply stabilised
20240.6%Load shedding and logistics constraints
20230.7%Severe load shedding
20221.9%Post-pandemic recovery fading
20214.7%Rebound from the 2020 contraction
2020-6.0%Pandemic contraction
20190.3%Stagnation
20181.5%Weak
20171.2%Recovery from technical recession
20160.7%Drought and commodity weakness
20151.3%Slowing
20141.8%Platinum strike
20132.5%Moderate
20122.2%Marikana
20113.3%Post-crisis recovery
20103.0%World Cup year
2009-1.5%Global financial crisis
20083.2%Slowing into the crisis
20075.4%Peak of the commodity boom
20055.3%Strong growth
20032.9%Moderate
20004.2%Strong
Where the output comes from
SectorApproximate share of GDP
Finance, real estate and business servicesAbout 22%
Trade, catering and accommodationAbout 15%
Government servicesAbout 14%
ManufacturingAbout 13%
Mining and quarryingAbout 8%
Transport and communicationAbout 8%
AgricultureAbout 3%
What a GDP print does
SurpriseRandBondsJSE
Stronger than expectedFirmerYields may rise on rate expectationsDomestic shares firmer
Weaker than expectedWeakerYields may fall, or rise on fiscal worryDomestic shares weaker
Two negative quartersSharply weakerFiscal risk repricedRand hedges outperform

Data maintained by TradeAnswers · updated as the figures change