Fuel imports in South Africa
South Africa: Fuel imports was 17.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Fuel imports in South Africa, 1974–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 17.7% for fuel imports in 2025.
That represents a change of down 8.9% on the previous year and up 12.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fuel imports in South Africa peaked at 23.4% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 1975.
South Africa ranks 70th of 196 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fuel imports in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 0.3% | — |
| 1975 | 0.2% | -12.6% |
| 1976 | 0.4% | +66.1% |
| 1977 | 0.5% | +34.6% |
| 1978 | 0.5% | -13.5% |
| 1979 | 0.6% | +25.2% |
| 1980 | 0.4% | -31.4% |
| 1981 | 0.3% | -19.4% |
| 1982 | 0.4% | +39.3% |
| 1983 | 0.4% | -6.2% |
| 1984 | 0.4% | -12.4% |
| 1985 | 0.6% | +58.2% |
| 1992 | 0.5% | -12.5% |
| 1993 | 0.4% | -18.6% |
| 1994 | 0.3% | -21.6% |
| 1995 | 8.3% | +2479.7% |
| 1996 | 9.5% | +14.5% |
| 1997 | 11.4% | +20.0% |
| 1998 | 8.4% | -26.7% |
| 1999 | 10.1% | +20.8% |
| 2000 | 14.3% | +41.2% |
| 2001 | 14.7% | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 12.4% | -15.5% |
| 2003 | 11.9% | -4.0% |
| 2004 | 14.4% | +20.6% |
| 2005 | 14.3% | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 18.3% | +28.6% |
| 2007 | 18.6% | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 22.4% | +20.4% |
| 2009 | 21.4% | -4.3% |
| 2010 | 19.0% | -11.2% |
| 2011 | 20.8% | +9.2% |
| 2012 | 22.0% | +5.9% |
| 2013 | 21.6% | -1.9% |
| 2014 | 23.4% | +8.1% |
| 2015 | 15.7% | -32.8% |
| 2016 | 13.5% | -14.0% |
| 2017 | 14.7% | +9.2% |
| 2018 | 18.6% | +26.0% |
| 2019 | 16.9% | -9.0% |
| 2020 | 14.0% | -17.4% |
| 2021 | 16.6% | +18.8% |
| 2022 | 22.8% | +37.6% |
| 2023 | 21.0% | -7.8% |
| 2024 | 19.4% | -7.7% |
| 2025 | 17.7% | -8.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 17.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 14.6%, 1.2× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 17.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 19.3%, 91% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Fuel imports in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +2479.7% | 0.3% | 8.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.6% | 6 |
| 1980s | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.6% | 6 |
| 1990s | 6.1% | 0.3% | 11.4% | 8 |
| 2000s | 16.3% | 11.9% | 22.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.6% | 13.5% | 23.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.6% | 14.0% | 22.8% | 6 |
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)
- Ores and metals imports 2.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fuel imports in South Africa?
- Fuel imports in South Africa was 17.7% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest fuel imports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23.4% in 2014.
- What is the lowest fuel imports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 1975.
- How does South Africa rank for fuel imports?
- South Africa ranks 70th out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is fuel imports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fuels comprise the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) section 3 (mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.