Personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa
South Africa: Personal remittances and foreign aid received was 926.65 million current US$ in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa, 1970–2021
Source: World Bank based on International Monetary Fund balance of payments data (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa is 926.65 million current US$, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 14.3% on the previous year and down 20.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa peaked at 1.16 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 15.38 million current US$, in 1971.
That places South Africa 85th out of 193 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 15.40 million current US$ | — |
| 1971 | 15.38 million current US$ | -0.1% |
| 1972 | 16.87 million current US$ | +9.7% |
| 1973 | 15.88 million current US$ | -5.9% |
| 1974 | 26.41 million current US$ | +66.3% |
| 1975 | 35.62 million current US$ | +34.9% |
| 1976 | 28.75 million current US$ | -19.3% |
| 1977 | 28.75 million current US$ | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 43.70 million current US$ | +52.0% |
| 1979 | 51.12 million current US$ | +17.0% |
| 1980 | 67.10 million current US$ | +31.2% |
| 1981 | 86.86 million current US$ | +29.5% |
| 1982 | 80.45 million current US$ | -7.4% |
| 1983 | 73.58 million current US$ | -8.5% |
| 1984 | 64.80 million current US$ | -11.9% |
| 1985 | 38.71 million current US$ | -40.3% |
| 1986 | 35.51 million current US$ | -8.3% |
| 1987 | 45.23 million current US$ | +27.4% |
| 1988 | 49.70 million current US$ | +9.9% |
| 1989 | 88.55 million current US$ | +78.2% |
| 1990 | 135.59 million current US$ | +53.1% |
| 1991 | 129.11 million current US$ | -4.8% |
| 1992 | 119.28 million current US$ | -7.6% |
| 1993 | 101.70 million current US$ | -14.7% |
| 1994 | 98.77 million current US$ | -2.9% |
| 1995 | 82.69 million current US$ | -16.3% |
| 1996 | 74.89 million current US$ | -9.4% |
| 1997 | 176.00 million current US$ | +135.0% |
| 1998 | 258.61 million current US$ | +46.9% |
| 1999 | 306.86 million current US$ | +18.7% |
| 2000 | 324.66 million current US$ | +5.8% |
| 2001 | 281.61 million current US$ | -13.3% |
| 2002 | 268.16 million current US$ | -4.8% |
| 2003 | 390.80 million current US$ | +45.7% |
| 2004 | 468.12 million current US$ | +19.8% |
| 2005 | 613.58 million current US$ | +31.1% |
| 2006 | 691.93 million current US$ | +12.8% |
| 2007 | 792.35 million current US$ | +14.5% |
| 2008 | 783.69 million current US$ | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 862.05 million current US$ | +10.0% |
| 2010 | 1.07 billion current US$ | +24.1% |
| 2011 | 1.16 billion current US$ | +8.3% |
| 2012 | 1.08 billion current US$ | -6.4% |
| 2013 | 970.65 million current US$ | -10.5% |
| 2014 | 913.40 million current US$ | -5.9% |
| 2015 | 825.25 million current US$ | -9.7% |
| 2016 | 755.43 million current US$ | -8.5% |
| 2017 | 873.86 million current US$ | +15.7% |
| 2018 | 929.04 million current US$ | +6.3% |
| 2019 | 890.06 million current US$ | -4.2% |
| 2020 | 810.88 million current US$ | -8.9% |
| 2021 | 926.65 million current US$ | +14.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 926.65 million current US$ is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 979.33 million current US$, 95% of the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 926.65 million current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 318.64 million current US$, 2.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | +135.0% | 74.89 million current US$ | 176.00 million current US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 27.79 million current US$ | 15.38 million current US$ | 51.12 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 63.05 million current US$ | 35.51 million current US$ | 88.55 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 148.35 million current US$ | 74.89 million current US$ | 306.86 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 547.70 million current US$ | 268.16 million current US$ | 862.05 million current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 947.02 million current US$ | 755.43 million current US$ | 1.16 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 868.77 million current US$ | 810.88 million current US$ | 926.65 million current US$ | 2 |
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 personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa?
- Personal remittances and foreign aid received in South Africa was 926.65 million current US$ in 2021, according to World Bank based on International Monetary Fund balance of payments data (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest personal remittances and foreign aid received recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.16 billion current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest personal remittances and foreign aid received recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.38 million current US$ in 1971.
- How does South Africa rank for personal remittances and foreign aid received?
- South Africa ranks 85th out of 193 countries with data for 2021.
- Is personal remittances and foreign aid received rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank based on International Monetary Fund balance of payments data (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Personal remittances and foreign aid received. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Remittances are financial transfers from non-residents to residents of a country, such as a worker abroad sending money to family and friends. Foreign aid is measured as official development assistance. Both are measured in current US$.