Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average in South Africa
South Africa: Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average was 16.39 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average in South Africa, 1987–2026
Source: World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data.
Analysis
In 2026, exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average in South Africa stood at 16.39.
The figure is down 8.4% on the previous year and up 11.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average in South Africa peaked at 18.43 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 2.04, in 1987.
South Africa ranks 99th of 182 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.
Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 2.04 | — |
| 1988 | 2.28 | +11.6% |
| 1989 | 2.62 | +15.2% |
| 1990 | 2.59 | -1.3% |
| 1991 | 2.76 | +6.6% |
| 1992 | 2.85 | +3.4% |
| 1993 | 3.27 | +14.6% |
| 1994 | 3.55 | +8.5% |
| 1995 | 3.63 | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 4.3 | +18.5% |
| 1997 | 4.61 | +7.2% |
| 1998 | 5.53 | +20.0% |
| 1999 | 6.11 | +10.6% |
| 2000 | 6.94 | +13.6% |
| 2001 | 8.62 | +24.1% |
| 2002 | 10.5 | +21.9% |
| 2003 | 7.55 | -28.1% |
| 2004 | 6.44 | -14.7% |
| 2005 | 6.36 | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 6.77 | +6.3% |
| 2007 | 7.05 | +4.2% |
| 2008 | 8.27 | +17.3% |
| 2009 | 8.42 | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 7.32 | -13.0% |
| 2011 | 7.26 | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 8.21 | +13.0% |
| 2013 | 9.65 | +17.6% |
| 2014 | 10.85 | +12.4% |
| 2015 | 12.77 | +17.7% |
| 2016 | 14.71 | +15.2% |
| 2017 | 13.31 | -9.5% |
| 2018 | 13.25 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 14.45 | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 16.48 | +14.0% |
| 2021 | 14.78 | -10.3% |
| 2022 | 16.37 | +10.8% |
| 2023 | 18.43 | +12.6% |
| 2024 | 18.33 | -0.5% |
| 2025 | 17.89 | -2.4% |
| 2026 | 16.39 | -8.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 16.39 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 17.42, 94% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 16.39 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 563.92, 3% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.31 | 2.04 | 2.62 | 3 |
| 1990s | 3.92 | 2.59 | 6.11 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.69 | 6.36 | 10.5 | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.18 | 7.26 | 14.71 | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.95 | 14.78 | 18.43 | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average in South Africa?
- Exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average in South Africa was 16.39 in 2026, according to World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data.
- What is the highest exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18.43 in 2023.
- What is the lowest exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.04 in 1987.
- How does South Africa rank for exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average?
- South Africa ranks 99th out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is exchange rate, new lcu per usd extended backward, period average rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data, published as part of Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Local currency units (LCU) per U.S. dollar, with values prior to the currency's introduction presented in the new currency's terms