2014 Edition

Background

Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Second Anglo Boer War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races - which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa's prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime's eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa since then has struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in decent housing, education, and health care. ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 when President Thabo MBEKI resigned, and Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party's General-Secretary, succeeded him as interim president. Jacob ZUMA became president after the ANC won general elections in April 2009. National presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 2014.

Area

1,219,090 sq km 1,214,470 sq km 4,620 sq km includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island)

total

1,219,090 sq km

water

4,620 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Coastline

2,798 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Njesuthi 3,408 m

highest point

Njesuthi 3,408 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

12.5 cu km/yr (36%/7%/57%) 271.7 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

271.7 cu m/yr (2005)

total

12.5 cu km/yr (36%/7%/57%)

Geographic coordinates

29 00 S, 24 00 E

Geography - note

South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland

Irrigated land

16,700 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

4,862 km Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km

border countries

Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km

total

4,862 km

Land use

9.87% 0.34% 89.79% (2011)

arable land

9.87%

other

89.79% (2011)

permanent crops

0.34%

Location

Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

prolonged droughts the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcano

volcanism

the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcano

Natural resources

gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas

Terrain

vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain

Total renewable water resources

51.4 cu km (2011)

Age structure

28.3% (male 6,859,518/female 6,815,185) 20.2% (male 4,914,394/female 4,866,121) 38.2% (male 9,543,746/female 8,923,605) 7.1% (male 1,470,282/female 1,950,499) 6.1% (male 1,205,657/female 1,826,638) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

28.3% (male 6,859,518/female 6,815,185)

15-24 years

20.2% (male 4,914,394/female 4,866,121)

25-54 years

38.2% (male 9,543,746/female 8,923,605)

55-64 years

7.1% (male 1,470,282/female 1,950,499)

65 years and over

6.1% (male 1,205,657/female 1,826,638) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

18.94 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

8.7% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

59.9% (2003/04)

Death rate

17.49 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

53.9 % 45.2 % 8.7 % 11.5 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

8.7 %

potential support ratio

11.5 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.9 %

youth dependency ratio

45.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.2% of population rural: 88.3% of population total: 95.1% of population urban: 0.8% of population rural: 11.7% of population total: 4.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

11.7% of population

total

4.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.8% of population

Education expenditures

6% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

black African 79.2%, white 8.9%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5%, other 0.5% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

8.5% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

17.9% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

235,100 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

6,070,800 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

41.61 deaths/1,000 live births 45.25 deaths/1,000 live births 37.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

37.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

41.61 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

IsiZulu (official) 22.7%, IsiXhosa (official) 16%, Afrikaans (official) 13.5%, English (official) 9.6%, Sepedi (official) 9.1%, Setswana (official) 8%, Sesotho (official) 7.6%, Xitsonga (official) 4.5%, siSwati (official) 2.5%, Tshivenda (official) 2.4%, isiNdebele (official) 2.1%, sign language 0.5%, other 1.6% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

49.56 years 50.52 years 48.58 years (2014 est.)

female

48.58 years (2014 est.)

total population

49.56 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93% 93.9% 92.2% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.2% (2011 est.)

male

93.9%

total population

93%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever schistosomiasis (2013)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

Johannesburg 3.844 million; Cape Town (legislative capital) 3.562 million; Ekurhuleni (East Rand) 3.357 million; Durban 3.012 million; PRETORIA (capital) 1.501 million; Vereeniging 1.2 million; Bloemfontein (judicial capital) 468,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

300 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

25.7 years 25.4 years 26 years (2014 est.)

female

26 years (2014 est.)

male

25.4 years

total

25.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.5 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2003-04 est.)

Nationality

South African(s) South African

adjective

South African

noun

South African(s)

Net migration rate

-6.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

31.3% (2008)

Physicians density

0.76 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

48,375,645 Statistics South Africa (the national statistical agency of South Africa) estimates the country's mid-year 2013 total population to be 52,981,991, which takes into account the findings of South Africa's 2011 census; estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.48% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant 36.6% (Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%), Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 81.7% of population rural: 62.4% of population total: 74.4% of population urban: 18.3% of population rural: 37.6% of population total: 25.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

37.6% of population

total

25.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

18.3% of population

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.07 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.23 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

51.5% 47.1% 56.9% (2012)

female

56.9% (2012)

total

51.5%

Urbanization

62% of total population (2011) 1.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

62% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape

Capital

Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) 25 42 S, 28 13 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

25 42 S, 28 13 E

name

Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest drafted 8 May 1996, approved 4 December 1997, effective 4 February 1997; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)

Country name

Republic of South Africa South Africa Union of South Africa RSA

abbreviation

RSA

conventional long form

Republic of South Africa

conventional short form

South Africa

former

Union of South Africa

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Patrick GASPARD (since 1 August 2013) 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 [27] (12) 431-4000 [27] (12) 342-2299 Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg

chief of mission

Ambassador Patrick GASPARD (since 1 August 2013)

consulate(s) general

Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg

embassy

877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

FAX

[27] (12) 342-2299

mailing address

P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001

telephone

[27] (12) 431-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ebrahim RASOOL (since 4 August 2010) 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-4400 [1] (202) 265-1607 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Ebrahim RASOOL (since 4 August 2010)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1607

telephone

[1] (202) 232-4400

Executive branch

President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Deputy President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 26 May 2014) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Deputy President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 26 May 2014) Cabinet appointed by the president president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 May 2014 (next to be held on May 2019) Jacob ZUMA re-elected president unopposed; he was sworn in on 24 May 2014

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Deputy President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 26 May 2014) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Jacob ZUMA re-elected president unopposed; he was sworn in on 24 May 2014

elections

president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 May 2014 (next to be held on May 2019)

head of government

President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Deputy President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 26 May 2014)

Flag description

two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Sudan's

Government type

republic

Independence

31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (majority rule)

31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies

Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (majority rule)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, BRICS, C, CD, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, NSG, OECD (Enhanced Engagement, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Appeals (consists of the court president, deputy president, and 21 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges) Supreme Court of Appeals president and vice-president appointed by the national president after consultation with the Joint Services Commission (JSC), a 22-member body of judicial and other government officials, and a law academics; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the national president on the advice of the JSC and hold office until discharged from active service in terms of an Act of Parliament; Constitutional Court chief and deputy chief justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the JSC and with heads of the National Assembly; other Constitutional Court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the chief justice and leaders of the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 12-year non-renewable terms or until age 70 High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; labor courts; land claims courts;

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Appeals (consists of the court president, deputy president, and 21 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court of Appeals president and vice-president appointed by the national president after consultation with the Joint Services Commission (JSC), a 22-member body of judicial and other government officials, and a law academics; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the national president on the advice of the JSC and hold office until discharged from active service in terms of an Act of Parliament; Constitutional Court chief and deputy chief justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the JSC and with heads of the National Assembly; other Constitutional Court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the chief justice and leaders of the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 12-year non-renewable terms or until age 70

subordinate courts

High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; labor courts; land claims courts;

Legal system

mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Council of Provinces (90 seats; 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities) and the National Assembly (400 seats; members elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held on 7 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019) National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 62.2%, DA 22.2%, EFF 6.4%, IFP 2.4%, NFP 1.6%, other 5.2%; seats by party - ANC 249, DA 89, EFF 25, IFP 10, NFP 6, other 21

election results

National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 62.2%, DA 22.2%, EFF 6.4%, IFP 2.4%, NFP 1.6%, other 5.2%; seats by party - ANC 249, DA 89, EFF 25, IFP 10, NFP 6, other 21

elections

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held on 7 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019)

National anthem

"National Anthem of South Africa" Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers adopted 1994; the anthem is a combination of "N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica" (God Bless Africa) and "Die Stem van Suid Afrika" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; the official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (i.e., the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); the music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems

lyrics/music

Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers

name

"National Anthem of South Africa"

National holiday

Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)

National symbol(s)

springbok antelope

Political parties and leaders

African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE] African National Congress or ANC [Jacob ZUMA] Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuoa LEKOTA] Democratic Alliance or DA [Helen ZILLE] Economic Freedom Fighters or EFF [Julius MALEMA] Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter MULDER] Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI] National Freedom Party or NFP [Zanele kaMAGWAZA-MSIBI] Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania or PAC [Alton MPHETHI] United Christian Democratic Party or UCDP [Isaac Sipho MFUNDISI] United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary] South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary] South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Richard MDAKANE, national president] COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products

Budget

$88.53 billion $105.5 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$105.5 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$88.53 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2012) 7% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 8.75% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$23.78 billion (2013 est.) -$24.07 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$139 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $130.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

63.1 (2005) 59.3 (1994)

Economy - overview

South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors and a stock exchange that is the 16th largest in the world. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. The global financial crisis reduced commodity prices and world demand. GDP fell nearly 2% in 2009 but has recovered since then, albeit slowly with 2014 growth projected at about 2%. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is at nearly 25% of the work force, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Eskom, the state-run power company, has built two new power stations and installed new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability. Construction delays at two additional plants, however, mean South Africa is operating on a razor thin margin; economists judge that growth cannot exceed 3% until those plants come on line. South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation, however, the country has had significant budget deficits that restrict its ability to deal with pressing economic problems. The current government faces growing pressure from special interest groups to use state-owned enterprises to deliver basic services to low-income areas and to increase job growth.

Exchange rates

rand (ZAR) per US dollar - 9.576 (2013 est.) 8.2031 (2012 est.) 7.3212 (2010 est.) 8.42 (2009) 7.9576 (2008)

Exports

$91.05 billion (2013 est.) $93.48 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment

Exports - partners

China 11.8%, US 8.3%, Japan 6%, Germany 5.7%, India 4.2% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

63.8% 24% 22% -0.8% 30.6% -39.6% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

30.6%

government consumption

24%

household consumption

63.8%

imports of goods and services

-39.6%

investment in fixed capital

22%

investment in inventories

-0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.6% 29% 68.4% (2013 est.)

agriculture

2.6%

industry

29%

services

68.4% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,500 (2013 est.) $11,400 (2012 est.) $11,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2013 est.) 2.5% (2012 est.) 3.5% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$353.9 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$595.7 billion (2013 est.) $584 billion (2012 est.) $569.5 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

15.1% of GDP (2013 est.) 13.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.2% 51.7% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

51.7% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

$99.55 billion (2013 est.) $102.6 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 14.4%, Germany 10.1%, Saudi Arabia 7.7%, US 7.4%, Japan 4.6%, India 4.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

0.9% (2013 est.)

Industries

mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.8% (2013 est.) 5.7% (2012 est.)

Labor force

18.54 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

9% 26% 65% (2007 est.)

agriculture

9%

industry

26%

services

65% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.038 trillion (31 December 2012) $855.7 billion (31 December 2011) $1.013 trillion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

31.3% (2009 est.)

Public debt

45.4% of GDP (2013 est.) 42.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$48.46 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $50.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$198 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $220.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$87.67 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $82.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$143.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $139 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$252.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $298.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$110.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $122 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

24.9% (2013 est.) 25.1% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

461.6 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

385,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

181,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

15 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

234.2 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

15.04 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

90.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

4.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

11.89 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

44.26 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

257.9 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

4.01 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

3.3 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.28 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

16 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

590,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

80,460 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

79,010 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

437,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) operates 4 TV stations, 3 are free-to-air and 1 is pay TV; e.tv, a private station, is accessible to more than half the population; multiple subscription TV services provide a mix of local and international channels; well developed mix of public and private radio stations at the national, regional, and local levels; the SABC radio network, state-owned and controlled but nominally independent, operates 18 stations, one for each of the 11 official languages, 4 community stations, and 3 commercial stations; more than 100 community-based stations extend coverage to rural areas (2007)

Internet country code

.za

Internet hosts

4.761 million (2012)

Internet users

4.42 million (2009)

Telephone system

the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 140 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber-optic submarine cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; the EASSy fiber-optic cable system connects with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 140 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria

general assessment

the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa

international

country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber-optic submarine cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; the EASSy fiber-optic cable system connects with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.03 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

68.4 million (2012)

Airports

566 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

9 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

52

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

65

over 3,047 m

11

total

144

under 914 m

9 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

132 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

31

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

258

total

422

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

petroleum tanker 3 19 (Australia 1, Isle of Man 2, Mexico 1, NZ 1, Seychelles 1, Singapore 13) (2010)

registered in other countries

19 (Australia 1, Isle of Man 2, Mexico 1, NZ 1, Seychelles 1, Singapore 13) (2010)

total

3

Pipelines

condensate 94 km; gas 1,293 km; oil 992 km; refined products 1,460 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay Durban (2,712,975)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Durban (2,712,975)

major seaport(s)

Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay

Railways

20,192 km 19,756 km 1.065-m gauge (8,271 km electrified); 122 km 0.750-m gauge; 314 km 0.610-m gauge (2008)

total

20,192 km

Roadways

364,131 km 62,995 km (includes 254 km of expressways) 301,136 km (2002)

total

364,131 km

unpaved

301,136 km (2002)

Manpower available for military service

13,439,781 12,473,641 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

12,473,641 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

13,439,781

Manpower fit for military service

7,617,063 6,476,264 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,476,264 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,617,063

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

482,122 485,017 (2010 est.)

female

485,017 (2010 est.)

male

482,122

Military - note

with the end of apartheid and the establishment of majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete

Military branches

South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health Services (2013)

South African National Defense Force (SANDF)

South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health Services (2013)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2013) 1.16% of GDP (2012) 1.14% of GDP (2011) 1.16% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012)

Disputes - international

South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration; the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River

Illicit drugs

transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy

Refugees and internally displaced persons

20,814 (Somalia); 14,374 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 7,578 (Ethiopia) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

20,814 (Somalia); 14,374 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 7,578 (Ethiopia) (2013)