Expense in South Africa
South Africa: Expense was 133.43 billion current US$ in 2011. ▲ Rising
Expense in South Africa, 2000–2011
Source: International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
In 2011, expense in South Africa stood at 133.43 billion current US$. That is the highest value across all 12 years on record.
The figure is up 12.7% on the previous year and up 304.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, expense in South Africa peaked at 133.43 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 30.57 billion current US$, in 2002.
South Africa ranks 2nd of 29 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Expense in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 37.08 billion current US$ | — |
| 2001 | 32.97 billion current US$ | -11.1% |
| 2002 | 30.57 billion current US$ | -7.3% |
| 2003 | 48.80 billion current US$ | +59.7% |
| 2004 | 65.49 billion current US$ | +34.2% |
| 2005 | 73.95 billion current US$ | +12.9% |
| 2006 | 78.52 billion current US$ | +6.2% |
| 2007 | 86.87 billion current US$ | +10.6% |
| 2008 | 85.92 billion current US$ | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 95.42 billion current US$ | +11.1% |
| 2010 | 118.35 billion current US$ | +24.0% |
| 2011 | 133.43 billion current US$ | +12.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 133.43 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.33 billion current US$, 100.2× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 63.56 billion current US$ | 30.57 billion current US$ | 95.42 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 125.89 billion current US$ | 118.35 billion current US$ | 133.43 billion current US$ | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More public sector data for South Africa
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Democracy 7 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expense in South Africa?
- Expense in South Africa was 133.43 billion current US$ in 2011, according to International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files.
- What is the highest expense recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 133.43 billion current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest expense recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 30.57 billion current US$ in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for expense?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 29 countries with data for 2011.
- Is expense rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 304.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, published as part of Expense (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends. Data are in current U.S. dollars.