Telecommunications revenue in South Africa

South Africa: Telecommunications revenue was 4.7% in 2010. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2010)
4.7%
Change on year
down 7.8%
World rank
18th
of 51 countries
All-time high
7.3%
in 2006
All-time low
1.0%
in 1965
Years of data
38
1965–2010

Telecommunications revenue in South Africa, 1965–2010

024681965198720101965: 0.992 % GDP1970: 1.1 % GDP1975: 1.6 % GDP1976: 1.7 % GDP1977: 1.6 % GDP1978: 1.6 % GDP1979: 1.6 % GDP1980: 1.5 % GDP1981: 2 % GDP1982: 2 % GDP1983: 2.1 % GDP1984: 2 % GDP1985: 2 % GDP1986: 2.3 % GDP1987: 2.3 % GDP1988: 2.3 % GDP1989: 2.1 % GDP1990: 2 % GDP1991: 2 % GDP1992: 1.9 % GDP1993: 2 % GDP1994: 2.4 % GDP1995: 2.9 % GDP1996: 3.4 % GDP1997: 4 % GDP1998: 4.6 % GDP1999: 4.8 % GDP2000: 5.1 % GDP2001: 5.2 % GDP2002: 5.2 % GDP2003: 5.3 % GDP2004: 5.1 % GDP2005: 6.3 % GDP2006: 7.3 % GDP2007: 5.3 % GDP2008: 5.1 % GDP2009: 5.1 % GDP2010: 4.7 % GDP

Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Measured in % GDP.

Analysis

In 2010, telecommunications revenue in South Africa stood at 4.7%.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.8% on the previous year and down 9.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, telecommunications revenue in South Africa peaked at 7.3% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 1.0%, in 1965.

South Africa ranks 18th of 51 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.

Telecommunications revenue in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Telecommunications revenue (% GDP) in South Africa, 1965 to 2010.
Year % GDP Change
1965 1.0%
1970 1.1% +11.1%
1975 1.6% +48.4%
1976 1.7% +1.8%
1977 1.6% -1.7%
1978 1.6% -3.0%
1979 1.6% +1.5%
1980 1.5% -7.7%
1981 2.0% +31.4%
1982 2.0% +3.7%
1983 2.1% +5.7%
1984 2.0% -7.6%
1985 2.0% +2.2%
1986 2.3% +11.8%
1987 2.3% +0.7%
1988 2.3% -1.3%
1989 2.1% -5.9%
1990 2.0% -5.4%
1991 2.0% -2.3%
1992 1.9% -2.9%
1993 2.0% +3.0%
1994 2.4% +24.9%
1995 2.9% +17.0%
1996 3.4% +17.5%
1997 4.0% +18.7%
1998 4.6% +14.3%
1999 4.8% +5.7%
2000 5.1% +6.4%
2001 5.2% +1.8%
2002 5.2% +0.2%
2003 5.3% +1.0%
2004 5.1% -3.7%
2005 6.3% +23.0%
2006 7.3% +17.0%
2007 5.3% -28.2%
2008 5.1% -3.1%
2009 5.1% -1.1%
2010 4.7% -7.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1
1970s 1.5% 1.1% 1.7% 6
1980s 2.1% 1.5% 2.3% 10
1990s 3.0% 1.9% 4.8% 10
2000s 5.5% 5.1% 7.3% 10
2010s 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Gambia 5.2% compare
  2. 16 Mali 5.1% compare
  3. 17 Niger 4.9% compare
  4. 19 Morocco 4.6% compare
  5. 20 Eswatini 4.4% compare
  6. 21 Uganda 3.9% compare

See the full ranking of 57 places →

More infrastructure data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is telecommunications revenue in South Africa?
Telecommunications revenue in South Africa was 4.7% in 2010, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
What is the highest telecommunications revenue recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 7.3% in 2006.
What is the lowest telecommunications revenue recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 1.0% in 1965.
How does South Africa rank for telecommunications revenue?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 51 countries with data for 2010.
Is telecommunications revenue rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 9.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates, published as part of Telecommunications revenue (% GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Telecommunications revenue in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Retrieved 26 August 2026, from https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/stat/telecommunications-revenue-percent-gdp/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Telecommunications revenue (% GDP)
Unit
% GDP
Source
International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
57 places, 1,379 data points, 1965–2011
Last refreshed

Telecommunications revenue is the revenue from the provision of telecommunications services such as fixed-line, mobile, and data.