Environmental taxes in South Africa

South Africa: Environmental taxes was 124.00 billion in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
124.00 billion
Change on year
up 14.8%
World rank
26th
of 123 countries
All-time high
124.00 billion
in 2021
All-time low
9.30 billion
in 1995
Years of data
27
1995–2021

Environmental taxes in South Africa, 1995–2021

025.0B50.0B75.0B100.0B125.0B1995200820211995: 9.3B1996: 10.8B1997: 12.8B1998: 18.0B1999: 19.1B2000: 19.6B2001: 20.5B2002: 21.4B2003: 23.2B2004: 26.3B2005: 28.6B2006: 31.5B2007: 33.9B2008: 32.0B2009: 38.0B2010: 46.6B2011: 53.0B2012: 59.7B2013: 66.6B2014: 72.4B2015: 82.0B2016: 88.0B2017: 98.3B2018: 105.0B2019: 113.0B2020: 108.0B2021: 124.0B

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

In 2021, environmental taxes in South Africa stood at 124.00 billion. That is the highest value across all 27 years on record.

That represents a change of up 14.8% on the previous year and up 133.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, environmental taxes in South Africa peaked at 124.00 billion in 2021 and was at its lowest, 9.30 billion, in 1995.

That places South Africa 26th out of 123 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Environmental taxes in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Environmental taxes (Domestic Currency) in South Africa, 1995 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1995 9.30 billion
1996 10.79 billion +16.0%
1997 12.81 billion +18.7%
1998 17.96 billion +40.2%
1999 19.11 billion +6.4%
2000 19.63 billion +2.8%
2001 20.49 billion +4.4%
2002 21.41 billion +4.5%
2003 23.22 billion +8.4%
2004 26.32 billion +13.3%
2005 28.58 billion +8.6%
2006 31.54 billion +10.4%
2007 33.87 billion +7.4%
2008 32.02 billion -5.5%
2009 38.03 billion +18.8%
2010 46.59 billion +22.5%
2011 53.02 billion +13.8%
2012 59.72 billion +12.6%
2013 66.64 billion +11.6%
2014 72.43 billion +8.7%
2015 81.97 billion +13.2%
2016 87.96 billion +7.3%
2017 98.27 billion +11.7%
2018 105.00 billion +6.8%
2019 113.00 billion +7.6%
2020 108.00 billion -4.4%
2021 124.00 billion +14.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 13.99 billion 9.30 billion 19.11 billion 5
2000s 27.51 billion 19.63 billion 38.03 billion 10
2010s 78.46 billion 46.59 billion 113.00 billion 10
2020s 116.00 billion 108.00 billion 124.00 billion 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 23 Serbia 191.00 billion compare
  2. 24 United States 156.00 billion compare
  3. 25 Cameroon 154.00 billion compare
  4. 27 Czechia 122.00 billion compare
  5. 28 Rwanda 115.00 billion compare
  6. 29 Mali 111.00 billion compare

See the full ranking of 123 places →

More public sector data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is environmental taxes in South Africa?
Environmental taxes in South Africa was 124.00 billion in 2021, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest environmental taxes recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 124.00 billion in 2021.
What is the lowest environmental taxes recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 9.30 billion in 1995.
How does South Africa rank for environmental taxes?
South Africa ranks 26th out of 123 countries with data for 2021.
Is environmental taxes rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 133.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Environmental taxes (Domestic Currency). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Environmental taxes in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://public-sector.statizoid.com/stat/environmental-taxes-domestic-currency/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Environmental taxes (Domestic Currency)
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
123 places, 2,423 data points, 1995–2022
Last refreshed

This dataset tracks government revenue from taxes imposed on activities that negatively impact the environment. These taxes are categorized into four types: energy taxes (including fuel for transport), transport taxes (excluding fuel for transport), pollution taxes, and resource taxes.