The deficit on the current account of the balance of payments narrowed to R31.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024 from a revised R55.6 billion in the third quarter. The current account deficit as a ratio of gross domestic product (GDP) narrowed to 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 0.8% in the third quarter. On an annual basis, the deficit on the current account narrowed to R44.5 billion (0.6% of GDP) in 2024 from R112.1 billion (1.6% of GDP) in 2023. South Africa’s trade surplus widened from R200.4 billion in the third quarter of 2024 to R232.9 billion in the fourth quarter as the value of goods exports ... (full story)