South Africa
South Africa is home to 64.7m people (2025) and has an economy of $427.2bn (2025), the largest in SADC. Output per person of $6,598 is above the regional median of $2,539. The economy grew 1.1% in 2025, and the IMF expects 1.0% in 2026. Inflation was 3.2% in 2025, below the regional median of 3.6%. 90.2% of people have electricity (2024).
Where South Africa stands out
- Gross domestic productThe simplest measure of market size.Highest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.Highest of 16 in SADC
- Electricity generationThe size of the power system and the market for generation, transmission and energy services.Highest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.Highest of 16 in SADC
- Logistics Performance IndexLogistics costs decide whether manufacturing and agribusiness can compete.Highest of 14 in SADC. Select for the data card.Highest of 14 in SADC
What to watch
- Urban population growthFast urban growth drives demand for housing, power, water, transport and consumer goods, and signals where infrastructure is falling behind.2nd lowest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.2nd lowest of 16 in SADC
- Foreign direct investment, net inflowsShows whether other foreign investors are committing capital, which is both a signal of confidence and a measure of competition for deals.2nd lowest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.2nd lowest of 16 in SADC
- UnemploymentHigh unemployment means available labour but also weak demand and social pressure.2nd highest of 15 in SADC. Select for the data card.2nd highest of 15 in SADC
South Africa scores best on market size and weakest on growth
Scores from 0 to 100 by rank within SADC, against the SADC median. 100 means best in the region on that pillar.
The IMF expects South Africa to grow 1.0% in 2026
Real GDP growth, per cent a year. Open bars are IMF forecasts.
Ten years of history are free with a Reader account.
Farming employs 5% of workers but produces 3% of output
Share of jobs in each broad sector against its share of GDP, latest year. A sector with far more jobs than output has low productivity and room to grow.
Key figures
The bar under each figure places it among the 16 countries of SADC, lowest on the left. Hover for context; select for the data card.South Africa on the map
Its 9 provinces and 52 districts, shaded by population, power, water, transport and more; circles sized by value; or power lines, roads and masts on a street map.
How South Africa generates electricity
Share of electricity generation by source, latest year.
No electricity data for South Africa.
The history of the power mix is part of the Individual plan
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Trends against SADC
South Africa in olive, the regional median in grey, other countries faint.Ten years of history for every indicator is free with a Reader account
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Politics, parliament and elections
Compare all countriesThe National Assembly elects the President, who is head of state and government. The ANC has led every government since 1994 but lost its majority in May 2024, and since June 2024 has governed in a ten-party Government of National Unity with the DA, IFP, PA and others. The coalition holds more than two thirds of Assembly seats on paper.
- President
- Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC), since 15 Feb 2018
- How the executive is chosen
- Elected by the National Assembly from among its members after each general election
- Term and limits
- Five years; a president may serve at most two terms
- Governing
- Government of National Unity: ANC, DA, IFP, PA, FF+, UDM, Rise Mzansi, Al Jama-ah, PAC, GOOD
- In power since
- ANC, 1994 (32 years)The ANC has held the presidency since the first universal-suffrage election in April 1994.
- Next national election
- 2029 (general)Local government elections are on 4 November 2026.
- Electoral body
- Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)
The Government of National Unity holds 287 of 400 seats, a two-thirds majority
National Assembly, seats as of 14 Jun 2024. List PR; 5-year term
- ANC159
- DA87
- IFP17
- PA9
- FF+6
- Other governing parties9
- MK58
- EFF39
- ActionSA6
- Other opposition parties10
- How seats are filled
- All 400 members are elected by closed-list proportional representation: 200 from national lists and 200 from provincial lists. Independent candidates could stand in provincial lists for the first time in 2024.
- Powers
- Passes laws and the budget, elects the President and can remove the President by a two-thirds vote.
- Special majority
- Two thirds of members are needed to amend most of the Constitution (75% for its founding provisions). The governing side has it.
- Elections
- Last 29 May 2024; next 2029
National Council of Provinces: 90 members
National Council of Provinces. Indirect; 5-year term
Seat make-up not recorded.
- How seats are filled
- Chosen by the nine provincial legislatures after each general election. Ten delegates from each of the nine provinces (54 permanent and 36 special delegates), in proportion to party strength in each provincial legislature.
- Powers
- Represents the provinces; must pass bills that affect them and six provinces must agree to most constitutional amendments.
- Special majority
- Six of the nine provincial delegations must vote for most constitutional amendments
- Elections
- Last 14 Jun 2024; next 2029
What the record shows
- ANC has governed for 32 years, since 1994, without losing a national election.
- ANC's share of the parliamentary vote has fallen from 62.1% in 2014 to 40.2% in 2024.
- The governing side holds 287 of 400 seats in the National Assembly, enough on its own to amend the Constitution (two thirds or more).
- Turnout was 59% in 2024, down from 87% in 1994.
- V-Dem's clean elections score is 85 out of 100, up from 80 in 2015.
The largest party won 40% of the parliamentary vote in 2024, against 63% in 1994
Every lower-house election since 1990: the largest party's share of the vote and of the seats, and turnout of registered voters. Open circles mark a change of government.
Every national election
| Date | Election | Result | Turnout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 May 2024 | National Assembly | National Assembly, 2024ANC40.2%, 159 seatsDA21.8%, 87 seatsMK14.6%, 58 seatsANC 40.2%, 159 seats; DA 21.8%, 87 seats | 58.6% | Disputed |
| 8 May 2019 | Parliament | Parliament, 2019ANC57.5%, 230 seatsDA20.8%, 84 seatsEFF10.8%, 44 seatsANC 57.5%, 230 seats; DA 20.8%, 84 seats | 66.0% | V-Dem |
| 7 May 2014 | Parliament | Parliament, 2014ANC62.1%, 249 seatsDA22.2%, 89 seatsEFF6.4%, 25 seatsANC 62.1%, 249 seats; DA 22.2%, 89 seats | 73.5% | V-Dem |
| 22 Apr 2009 | Parliament | Parliament, 2009ANC65.9%, 264 seatsDA16.7%, 67 seatsCOPE7.4%, 30 seatsANC 65.9%, 264 seats; DA 16.7%, 67 seats | 77.3% | V-Dem |
| 14 Apr 2004 | Parliament | Parliament, 2004ANC69.7%, 279 seatsDA12.4%, 50 seatsIFP7.0%, 28 seatsANC 69.7%, 279 seats; DA 12.4%, 50 seats | 76.7% | V-Dem |
| 2 Jun 1999 | Parliament | Parliament, 1999ANC66.4%, 266 seatsDP9.6%, 38 seatsIFP8.6%, 34 seatsANC 66.4%, 266 seats; DP 9.6%, 38 seats | 89.3% | V-Dem |
Checked 30 Sept 2026. Not yet recorded: Party vote counts for 2024 are left out because the compiled table mixes the national and provincial ballots; shares and seats are official. Current NCOP delegations by party are not recorded.
Election calendar
All electionsHover a vote for its result and what it means.
- 2029South Africa: General electionNo analysis written for this vote yet.Sources: WikipediaExpected
- 4 Nov 2026South Africa: Local government electionsThe first test of the coalition parties since 2024. Metro results in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town decide who runs the municipal services, including water and electricity distribution, that businesses depend on.Sources: SAnews, Electoral CommissionScheduled
- 29 May 2024HeldGeneral electionWon by Cyril Ramaphosa (re-elected by Parliament)South Africa: General electionResult: The ANC won 40.2%, losing its majority for the first time since 1994, and formed a Government of National Unity with the DA and others.Coalition government has broadened reform, notably in electricity, logistics and ports, but tensions between partners are a standing risk.Sources: Wikipedia
Deals and projects
Every deal in South Africa- R30 billion giant buys 90-year-old private school in South AfricaM&A · Announced · 14 Oct 2026
- SANLAM LIMITED - Joint Firm Intention Announcement regarding an offer by Sanlam (acting through Sanlam Life) to acquire all of the issued ordinary shares of Santam not already owned by Sanlam Life, by way of a Scheme of ArrangementM&A · Announced · 14 Oct 2026
- BYTES TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC - Acquisition of CyberOneM&A · Announced · 13 Oct 2026
- Kholo Capital provides R275m mezzanine debt funding to DCCPrivate equity · Announced · 13 Oct 2026
- LekkeSlaap Acquired by South African Investors as Co-Founders Exit Travel Technology BusinessM&A · Announced · 13 Oct 2026
Individual Every deal record with its parties, value, stage and sources.
dotzedw analysis on South Africa
All analysis- Why Choppies Exited Key African Markets: Insights into Retail Scaling Challenges24 Apr 2025 · 14 min read · Members
- Southern Africa’s urgent need for low-cost housing explored20 Jan 2025 · 6 min read · Members
- How are national budget funds put to use in Southern Africa? (Part 1)11 Dec 2024 · 3 min read · Members