United States and South Africa
Businesses, trade and health cooperation link both countries, alongside diplomatic disagreements. Trade access preferences are important to South African exporters, but do not constitute a political alliance. Institutional dialogue has mechanisms predating current tensions.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07The bilateral forum and its areas of work
The DIRCO 2024–2025 report records the fourteenth annual bilateral forum meeting.
Preferential access and industrial chains
AGOA allows preferences for products and countries meeting its requirements.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 22,748 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: United States to South Africa | 6,294 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: South Africa to United States | 16,454 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Services trade | 6,000 M USDUSTR est. | 2025 · USTR |
| Export share: United States to South Africa | 0.29 % | 2025 · Census |
| Export share: South Africa to United States | ||
| Investment stock: United States in South Africa | 7,912 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
| Investment stock: South Africa in United States | 4,293 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: United States to South Africa
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: South Africa to United States
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Services trade
- 2025 · USTR · USTR estimate of services trade; not goods. Published total, not recalculated from rounded components.
- Export share: United States to South Africa
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · U.S. Census Bureau (other direction) · US goods exports to the partner / US goods exports to the world; same year and reporter.
- Investment stock: United States in South Africa
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
- Investment stock: South Africa in United States
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | United States | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 30.77 trillion USD2025 · WB | 427.18 billion USD2025 · World Bank |
| GDP per capita | 90,026.52 USD2025 · WB | 6,597.71 USD2025 · World Bank |
| GDP growth | 2.16 %2025 · WB | 1.11 %2025 · World Bank |
| Policy interest rate | 3.75–4 %2026-09-16 · Fed | |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.7 %IMF est.Annual average · 2025 · IMF | 3.21 %Annual average · 2025 · World Bank |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3.4 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · BLS | 4.4 %Year-on-year · 2026-08 · Stats SAurban |
| Unemployment | 4.2 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 32.39 %ILO est.2025 · World Bank |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -6.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -5.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 123.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 78.6 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -3.63 %2025 · WB | -0.42 %2025 · World Bank |
| Population | 341,784,8572025 · WB | 64,747,3192025 · World Bank |
| Area | 9,831,510 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 1,219,090 km²2023 · World Bank |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUnited States: 2025 · World BankSouth Africa: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUnited States: 2025 · World BankSouth Africa: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)United States: 2025 · World BankSouth Africa: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)United States: 2026-09-16 · Federal funds target range · Federal Reserve
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)United States: 2025 · Average annual change in headline CPI (%) · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · WEO estimate; not the year-on-year change for December or August 2026. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07South Africa: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedUnited States: 2026-08 · Headline CPI change relative to the same month of the previous year (%) · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Published: 2026-09-11 · Headline year-on-year CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted; not monthly or core inflation.South Africa: 2026-08 · Headline CPI; change from the same month of the previous year · Stats SA · Urban headline CPI, not a geographically comprehensive national index or core inflation.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUnited States: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.South Africa: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.South Africa: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.South Africa: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUnited States: 2025 · World BankSouth Africa: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleUnited States: 2025 · World BankSouth Africa: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUnited States: 2023 · Total area including inland waters; territorial coverage of the source · World Bank · FAOSouth Africa: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
United States to South Africa
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 1,218.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 1,000.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 866.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 487.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 147.7 M USD2025 · Source |
South Africa to United States
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Land vehicles and components | 817.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 244.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 139.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 63.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 15.1 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | United States to South Africa | South Africa to United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,209.8 | 5,472.9 | 15,736.9 |
| 2022 | 21,062.4 | 6,492 | 14,570.4 |
| 2023 | 21,113.3 | 7,141.3 | 13,972 |
| 2024 | 20,508.5 | 5,824 | 14,684.5 |
| 2025 | 22,748 | 6,294 | 16,454 |
Connections between people
Education and travel constitute civilian connections independent of trade preferences. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from United States living in South Africa | ||
| Residents from South Africa living in United States | ||
| Study and training: United States in South Africa | ||
| Study and training: South Africa in United StatesStudy and OPT training in the United States | 2,952 | 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: United States in South AfricaU.S. study-abroad stays carrying academic credit | 3,454 | 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: South Africa in United States | ||
| Travel: United States to South Africa | ||
| Travel: South Africa to United StatesCountry of residence; international arrivals in the United States | 108,707arrivals | 2025 · NTTO |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Study and training: South Africa in United States
- Open Doors: students by place of origin, including OPT practical training. Not visas or residents. 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors
- Academic stays: United States in South Africa
- Mobility for academic credit reported by US institutions. Not the total number of residents or enrolment on a particular date. 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors
- Travel: South Africa to United States
- Arrivals by country of residence; not nationality, unique travellers or permanent residence. NTTO series coverage. 2025 · NTTO
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
The bilateral forum and its areas of work
The DIRCO 2024–2025 report records the fourteenth annual bilateral forum meeting. Diplomatic officials participated to discuss cooperation, trade, investment and successive G20 presidencies. That mechanism brings together institutions from different sectors: health, energy, education and businesses do not have a single administrative relationship. The report describes work in the documented fiscal year, not implementation of every project through October 2026. [1]
Preferential access and industrial chains
AGOA allows preferences for products and countries meeting its requirements. It is not a bilateral treaty removing every trade condition. Origin, eligibility and additional measures applicable to its product matter for a South African company. This profile's customs table allows actually recorded goods to be observed, while BEA positions describe direct investment, not future orders. [2]
Cooperation and disagreements do not follow the same schedule
DIRCO places science, health, innovation and training alongside trade within its cooperation channels. Those institutional ties can be longstanding and coexist with foreign policy disagreements. Subsidiaries' and universities' activity also cannot be summarized through each government's position in an international vote. Reading the relationship requires identifying who cooperates, on what issue and through which instrument. [1]
The scale of the two economies
The United States recorded nominal GDP of 30,769.7 billion USD in 2025, compared with 427.2 in 2025 for South Africa. The reference populations were 341.78 million (2025) and 64.75 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, US nominal GDP was 72.03 times that of South Africa. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [8] [9] [10] [11]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Two 2026 documents on AGOA
The February USTR communication announced a reauthorization through December 2026. The South African cabinet's August statement describes an extension through December 2028. That distinction between documents and dates is retained; the page does not turn it into verification of all currently applicable tariffs. The latest text documents the South African government's position and announcement. [2] [3]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between the United States and South Africa totaled 22,748 million USD. Shipments from the United States to South Africa were 6294 million USD; those in the opposite direction were 16,454 million USD. US shipments to the partner represented 0.29 % of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporting country. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [4]
Cross-border services
USTR estimates 6000 million USD in services trade in 2025. It is the total published by the source, not a reconstruction from rounded components. Financial and professional services and activities involving travel have coverage different from goods. Its value does not represent a traveler count or all local business by companies established in the partner country. [5]
Recorded direct investment capital, not announced investment
The US direct investment position in South Africa was 7912 million USD in 2025. South Africa's direct investment position in the United States was 4293 million USD in 2025. BEA uses historical cost and the immediate counterpart. The figure is capital recorded at period-end, not a purchase or promise made during the year. It may reflect subsidiary structures and financing; published negative values are not replaced with zero. It does not include all portfolio investment or allow each project to be valued individually. [6] [7]
Human connections with their own figures
In 2025, the source recorded 108,707 arrivals from South Africa to the United States, with the coverage indicated in the table. [12]
In 2024/25, the source recorded 2952 students and OPT internship participants from South Africa in the United States. [13]
In 2023/24, 3454 stays with academic credit recognition from the United States to South Africa were recorded. [13]
The counts describe different populations and periods: they are not added as a total of unique people. Open Doors includes OPT practical training; US study stays require academic credit. Arrivals by country of residence do not equate to nationality or permanent residence. The academic year retains its coverage and is not relabelled as a calendar year. [12] [13]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- 2024–2025 international relations annual report
DIRCO / Government of South Africa · Institutional source · Document: 2025 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- AGOA reauthorization in February 2026
USTR · Institutional source · Document: 2026-02-03 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- August 2026 cabinet statement
Government of South Africa · Institutional source · Document: 2026-08-26 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- TOTAL rows 2021–2025; US reporter; goods; million USD
U.S. Census Bureau · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Services exports plus imports, estimate, full calendar year 2025
USTR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual; country-of-residence row; AC=2025; arrivals, not unique people
NTTO · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- International Student Totals: 2024/25 incl OPT; US study abroad 2023/24. Not visa issuance.
IIE / Open Doors · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.