South Africa vs United States: Energy imports and exports

South Africa
-12.5%
in 2023
United States
-9.0%
in 2023
South Africa rank
104th
United States rank
102nd

Energy imports and exports over time

  • South Africa
  • United States
-40-2002040199020062023

How they compare

United States currently reports -9.0% against -12.5% in South Africa, a difference of 3.5%.

Across all 34 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.

South Africa ranks 104th and United States ranks 102nd of 142 countries.

United States has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa United States Difference Ahead
1990s -25.8% 21.3% 47.1% United States
2000s -22.4% 29.2% 51.6% United States
2010s -15.2% 12.3% 27.6% United States
2020s -13.9% -5.9% 8.0% United States

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher energy imports and exports, South Africa or United States?
United States, at -9.0% against -12.5% in South Africa as of 2023.
What is the difference in energy imports and exports between South Africa and United States?
3.5%, with United States ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United States?
34 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2023.
How do South Africa and United States rank globally for energy imports and exports?
South Africa ranks 104th and United States ranks 102nd of 142 countries.
Where does this data come from?
IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Energy imports and exports. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs United States: Energy imports and exports. Statizoid, drawing on IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://energy.statizoid.com/compare/energy-imports-and-exports-energy-use/south-africa/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
Energy imports and exports
Unit
% of energy use
Source
IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
142 places, 4,394 data points, 1990–2023
Last refreshed

Energy trade, measured as the percentage of energy use. Positive values indicate a country or region is a net importer of energy. Negative numbers indicate a country or region is a net exporter.