Energy imports in South Africa
South Africa: Energy imports was -25,548 kt of oil equivalent in 2010. ◆ Volatile
Energy imports in South Africa, 1971–2010
Source: International Energy Agency and United Nations, Energy Statistics Yearbook. Measured in kt of oil equivalent.
Analysis
The most recent figure for energy imports in South Africa is -25,548 kt of oil equivalent, measured in 2010.
That represents a change of down 67.5% on the previous year and up 29.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy imports in South Africa peaked at 8,823 kt of oil equivalent in 1973 and was at its lowest, -38,475 kt of oil equivalent, in 1998.
South Africa ranks 23rd of 27 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Energy imports in South Africa, year by year
| Year | kt of oil equivalent | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 7,655 kt of oil equivalent | — |
| 1972 | 8,250 kt of oil equivalent | +7.8% |
| 1973 | 8,823 kt of oil equivalent | +6.9% |
| 1974 | 8,221 kt of oil equivalent | -6.8% |
| 1975 | 8,756 kt of oil equivalent | +6.5% |
| 1976 | 6,806 kt of oil equivalent | -22.3% |
| 1977 | 2,933 kt of oil equivalent | -56.9% |
| 1978 | 1,559 kt of oil equivalent | -46.8% |
| 1979 | -4,294 kt of oil equivalent | -375.4% |
| 1980 | -7,787 kt of oil equivalent | +81.4% |
| 1981 | -9,010 kt of oil equivalent | +15.7% |
| 1982 | -8,976 kt of oil equivalent | -0.4% |
| 1983 | -11,500 kt of oil equivalent | +28.1% |
| 1984 | -16,599 kt of oil equivalent | +44.3% |
| 1985 | -23,127 kt of oil equivalent | +39.3% |
| 1986 | -22,662 kt of oil equivalent | -2.0% |
| 1987 | -19,076 kt of oil equivalent | -15.8% |
| 1988 | -19,858 kt of oil equivalent | +4.1% |
| 1989 | -21,687 kt of oil equivalent | +9.2% |
| 1990 | -23,579 kt of oil equivalent | +8.7% |
| 1991 | -21,950 kt of oil equivalent | -6.9% |
| 1992 | -26,455 kt of oil equivalent | +20.5% |
| 1993 | -28,046 kt of oil equivalent | +6.0% |
| 1994 | -30,114 kt of oil equivalent | +7.4% |
| 1995 | -31,197 kt of oil equivalent | +3.6% |
| 1996 | -28,840 kt of oil equivalent | -7.6% |
| 1997 | -34,991 kt of oil equivalent | +21.3% |
| 1998 | -38,475 kt of oil equivalent | +10.0% |
| 1999 | -35,950 kt of oil equivalent | -6.6% |
| 2000 | -36,361 kt of oil equivalent | +1.1% |
| 2001 | -32,550 kt of oil equivalent | -10.5% |
| 2002 | -33,910 kt of oil equivalent | +4.2% |
| 2003 | -36,019 kt of oil equivalent | +6.2% |
| 2004 | -28,871 kt of oil equivalent | -19.8% |
| 2005 | -29,696 kt of oil equivalent | +2.9% |
| 2006 | -30,213 kt of oil equivalent | +1.7% |
| 2007 | -21,507 kt of oil equivalent | -28.8% |
| 2008 | -13,663 kt of oil equivalent | -36.5% |
| 2009 | -15,249 kt of oil equivalent | +11.6% |
| 2010 | -25,548 kt of oil equivalent | +67.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5,412 kt of oil equivalent | -4,294 kt of oil equivalent | 8,823 kt of oil equivalent | 9 |
| 1980s | -16,028 kt of oil equivalent | -23,127 kt of oil equivalent | -7,787 kt of oil equivalent | 10 |
| 1990s | -29,959 kt of oil equivalent | -38,475 kt of oil equivalent | -21,950 kt of oil equivalent | 10 |
| 2000s | -27,804 kt of oil equivalent | -36,361 kt of oil equivalent | -13,663 kt of oil equivalent | 10 |
| 2010s | -25,548 kt of oil equivalent | -25,548 kt of oil equivalent | -25,548 kt of oil equivalent | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More energy & mining data for South Africa
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -0.3095 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 17.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy imports in South Africa?
- Energy imports in South Africa was -25,548 kt of oil equivalent in 2010, according to International Energy Agency and United Nations, Energy Statistics Yearbook.
- What is the highest energy imports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8,823 kt of oil equivalent in 1973.
- What is the lowest energy imports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -38,475 kt of oil equivalent in 1998.
- How does South Africa rank for energy imports?
- South Africa ranks 23rd out of 27 countries with data for 2010.
- Is energy imports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Energy Agency and United Nations, Energy Statistics Yearbook, published as part of Energy imports (kt of oil equivalent). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Net energy imports are estimated as energy use less production, both measured in oil equivalents. A negative value indicates that the country is a net exporter. Energy use refers to use of primary energy before transformation to other end-use fuels, which is equal to indigenous production plus imports and stock changes, minus exports and fuels supplied to ships and aircraft engaged in international transport.