South Africa: Capital investment, percent of GDP

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Africa

Capital investment as percent of GDP

 Latest value 15.62
 Year 2023
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1960 - 2023
 Average 20.03
 Min - Max 12.54 - 31.90
 Source The World Bank
The latest value from 2023 is 15.62 percent, an increase from 15.38 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 23.15 percent, based on data from 128 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1960 to 2023 is 20.03 percent. The minimum value, 12.54 percent, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 31.9 percent was recorded in 1981. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Africa - Capital investment, percent of GDP - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Africa - Capital investment, percent of GDP - historical chart - 1960-2023




The capital investment in South Africa and other countries is calculated as the purchases of new plant and equipment by firms, as percent of GDP. A high number is good for long-term economic growth as current investment leads to greater future production.
Definition: Gross capital formation (formerly gross domestic investment) consists of outlays on additions to the fixed assets of the economy plus net changes in the level of inventories. Fixed assets include land improvements (fences, ditches, drains, and so on); plant, machinery, and equipment purchases; and the construction of roads, railways, and the like, including schools, offices, hospitals, private residential dwellings, and commercial and industrial buildings. Inventories are stocks of goods held by firms to meet temporary or unexpected fluctuations in production or sales, and "work in progress." According to the 1993 SNA, net acquisitions of valuables are also considered capital formation.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Capital investment, percent of GDP 15.62 2023 percent
 Capital investment, in dollars 59.15 2023 billion U.S. dollars
 Household consumption, percent of GDP 64.40 2023 percent
 Household consumption, in dollars 245.16 2023 billion U.S. dollars
 Household consumption 1,190.89 Q3/2024 billion
 Consumption as percent of GDP 64.10 Q3/2024 percent
 Consumption growth 5.34 Q3/2024 percent
 Investment 271.45 Q3/2024 billion
 Investment as percent of GDP 14.61 Q3/2024 percent
 Investment growth 0.88 Q3/2024 percent
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