The country's currency is the South African Rand. The symbol used for this currency is R and is abbreviated as ZAR. 27.5% of the country's population is unemployed. The total number of unemployed in South Africa is 15,784,566. Each year South Africa exports about US$91.05 billion and imports about US$99.55 billion. The country's Gini index is 62.5. South Africa has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.658. The Global Peace Index (GPI) for South Africa is 2.376. South Africa has a public debt of 43.3% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) as estimated in 2012. South Africa is considered a developing country. A nation's stage of development is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, economic prosperity, life expectancy, income equality and quality of life. The country's main industries are mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers, food, merchant ship repair.

Total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa, calculated as Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), is US$707,097 billion. Every year, consumers spend around $221,990 million. The ratio of consumer spending to GDP in South Africa is 0% and the ratio of consumer spending to world consumer market is 0.52. Corporate tax in South Africa is 28%. Personal income tax ranges from 0% to 41% depending on your specific situation and income level. VAT in South Africa is 14%. In 2013, South Africa received US$1,067.1 million in development aid. In 2014 foreign aid amounted to USD 1403.1.