Manufacturing Sector Contribution to GDP in South Africa (1990-2022)

South Africa’s manufacturing sector saw a steady decline from 23.7% in 1990 to 12.3% in 2022, reflecting structural shifts and economic challenges. High labor costs, energy issues, and global competition have constrained growth. Despite efforts to boost industrialization, the sector’s reduced role signals South Africa’s increasing reliance on services and commodities over traditional manufacturing.

For a broader context, visit other statistics on South Africa’s fertility rate trends, South Africa’s annual GDP growth rate, South Africa’s population size.