Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa

South Africa: Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) was -3.59 billion in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
-3.59 billion
Change on year
up 46.0%
World rank
159th
of 195 countries
All-time high
5.39 billion
in 2017
All-time low
-40.56 billion
in 2021
Years of data
20
2005–2024

Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa, 2005–2024

-40.0B-30.0B-20.0B-10.0B010.0B2005201420242005: -5.6B2006: 5.3B2007: -3.6B2008: -12.0B2009: -6.3B2010: -3.9B2011: -4.3B2012: -1.7B2013: -1.7B2014: 1.9B2015: 4.0B2016: 2.3B2017: 5.4B2018: -1.5B2019: -2.0B2020: -5.1B2021: -40.6B2022: -6.9B2023: -6.7B2024: -3.6B

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

In 2024, direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa stood at -3.59 billion.

The figure is up 46.0% on the previous year and down 289.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa peaked at 5.39 billion in 2017 and was at its lowest, -40.56 billion, in 2021.

South Africa ranks 159th of 195 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net incurrence of liabilities) (US dollar) in South Africa, 2005 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2005 -5.61 billion
2006 5.31 billion -194.5%
2007 -3.60 billion -167.9%
2008 -12.00 billion +233.0%
2009 -6.31 billion -47.4%
2010 -3.85 billion -38.9%
2011 -4.29 billion +11.4%
2012 -1.73 billion -59.8%
2013 -1.71 billion -0.8%
2014 1.90 billion -211.0%
2015 3.99 billion +110.2%
2016 2.28 billion -43.0%
2017 5.39 billion +136.9%
2018 -1.54 billion -128.6%
2019 -1.98 billion +28.0%
2020 -5.09 billion +157.7%
2021 -40.56 billion +696.9%
2022 -6.86 billion -83.1%
2023 -6.66 billion -3.0%
2024 -3.59 billion -46.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s -4.45 billion -12.00 billion 5.31 billion 5
2010s -154.47 million -4.29 billion 5.39 billion 10
2020s -12.55 billion -40.56 billion -3.59 billion 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 156 Congo, Democratic Republic of the -2.92 billion compare
  2. 157 Uganda -3.26 billion compare
  3. 158 Mozambique -3.55 billion compare
  4. 160 Ukraine -3.71 billion compare
  5. 161 Kazakhstan -3.90 billion compare
  6. 162 Lithuania -3.91 billion compare

See the full ranking of 204 places →

More external debt data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa?
Direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa was -3.59 billion in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 5.39 billion in 2017.
What is the lowest direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was -40.56 billion in 2021.
How does South Africa rank for direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net)?
South Africa ranks 159th out of 195 countries with data for 2024.
Is direct investment, net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 289.1%. 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 Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net incurrence of liabilities) (US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://debt.statizoid.com/stat/direct-investment-net-net-acquisition-of-financial-assets-less-net-incurrence-of/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net incurrence of liabilities) (US dollar)
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
204 places, 3,835 data points, 2005–2024
Last refreshed

The World and Country Group Aggregates (historically called BOPSY) is an annual publication, released each November, of major balance of payments and international investment position components for countries, country groups, and the world.