What is the economic development of South Africa?

Economic overview South Africa is a middle-income developing country. Gross domestic product (GDP) accounts for about a quarter of Africa's GDP and is the most developed country in Africa. Rich in natural resources, it is one of the top five mineral countries in the world. The financial and legal systems are relatively perfect, and the infrastructure such as communication, transportation and energy is good. Mining, manufacturing, agriculture and service are the four pillars of the economy, and technologies such as deep well mining are in the leading position in the world. However, the development level and regional distribution of various sectors of the national economy are unbalanced, and the characteristics of urban-rural and black-and-white dual economy are obvious. From the early 1980s to the early 1990s, the economy of international sanctions declined. The new South African government has formulated the "Reconstruction and Development Plan" (RDP), emphasizing the improvement of the social and economic status of blacks. The "Growth, Employment and Redistribution Plan" (GEAR) was launched on 1996, aiming at achieving economic growth, increasing employment and gradually changing the unreasonable distribution situation by promoting privatization, reducing fiscal deficit, increasing the flexibility of the labor market, promoting exports, relaxing foreign exchange control and encouraging the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In February 2006, the South African government announced the implementation of "South Africa Accelerated and Enjoy Growth Initiative" (ASGISA), increased government intervention in the economy, and promoted employment and poverty reduction through measures such as strengthening infrastructure construction, implementing industrial priority development strategy, and strengthening education and human resources training. At the same time, the government continued to implement a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy. The central bank raised interest rates three times and kept the inflation rate at 3-7%. During the year, the domestic demand in South Africa was strong, and the rand continued to fall, which promoted the export growth. Tertiary industries such as retail, transportation and communication, finance and real estate continue to be the main driving forces for economic growth, while manufacturing and construction industries are growing rapidly. The main economic data in 2006 are as follows:

Gross domestic product: 255 1 100 million USD.

Per capita GDP: $53,865,438 +0.

Annual growth rate of GDP: 5.0%.

Currency name: rand 1 rand = 100 cents (cents).

Exchange rate (average): 1 USD = 6.77 rand.

Inflation rate (average): 4.7%

Official unemployment rate (September 2006): 25.6%.

(Source: Statistics South Africa, Reserve Bank of South Africa, Ministry of Trade and Industry of South Africa, etc. )

Rich in mineral resources, 59 kinds of minerals have been proved and mined. The reserves of gold, platinum group metals, manganese, vanadium, chromium and aluminosilicate rank first in the world, vermiculite, zirconium, titanium and fluorite rank second, phosphate and antimony rank fourth, uranium and lead rank fifth, coal and zinc rank eighth, iron ore ranks ninth and copper ranks fourteenth. According to the data provided by the South African Mining Bureau, the proven mineral reserves in 2005 are: 36,000 tons of gold (accounting for 40. 1% of the world's total reserves, the same below), 70,000 tons of platinum group metals (87.7%), 4 billion tons of manganese (80%) and 0/20,000 tons of vanadium/kloc (365,438+). Uranium 34 10000 tons (7.2%), coal 3 1022 tons (3.5%), iron ore150,000 tons (0.9%), titanium 220 million tons (18.3%) and zirconium/. 200,000 tons of antimony (6.4%), 3 million tons of lead (2.0%), 0/50,000 tons of zinc/kloc (3.3%) and 0/30,000 tons of copper/kloc (6.5438+0.4%).

Industrial manufacturing, construction, energy and mining are the four major sectors of South African industry.

The manufacturing industry has complete categories and advanced technology. The main products are steel, metal products, chemicals, transportation equipment, machinery manufacturing, food processing, textiles, clothing and so on. Iron and steel industry is the pillar of South Africa's manufacturing industry, with six iron and steel conglomerates and 130 steel enterprises. In recent years, uncompetitive industries such as textiles and clothing have shrunk, and emerging export industries such as automobile manufacturing have developed rapidly.

1994- 1999, the south African government raised 125 billion rand to build low-rent housing to alleviate the housing problem of black urban residents, but the progress of the project was slow. In recent years, due to outdated equipment, serious shortage of skilled workers, industry monopoly, world economic recession and other factors, the construction industry is declining.

South Africa's energy industry has a solid foundation and advanced technology, and its output value accounts for about 15% of South Africa's GDP. The power industry is relatively developed, accounting for two-thirds of Africa's power generation, of which about 92% is thermal power generation, making it one of the countries with the lowest electricity charges in the world. ESKOM, a state-owned enterprise, is the seventh largest power producer and the ninth largest power seller in the world, with the largest dry-cooling power station in the world, supplying 95% of electricity consumption in South Africa and 60% of electricity consumption in Africa. Near Cape Town, there is Coble Nuclear Power Station, the only nuclear power station on the African continent, with a power generation capacity of 654.38+0.844 million kilowatts. In addition, the commercialization level of coal-based synthetic fuel and natural gas-based synthetic fuel technology of South Africa Sasol Company is in the leading position in the world, and its liquid fuel output accounts for about a quarter of the total fuel supply in South Africa.

About two-thirds of South Africa's mining industry is controlled by private enterprises, and mineral products are an important part of exports. There are about 420,000 people directly employed in the mining industry. In 2006, the output value of mining industry accounted for about 6.2% of GDP.

South Africa is the largest gold producer and exporter in the world. In 2006, South Africa's gold production decreased by 7.5%, but it still ranked first in the world, accounting for 1 1.8% of the world's gold production. In 2006, gold exports accounted for 8% of South Africa's exports. With the expansion of market demand for platinum group metals and the rising cost of gold mining in South Africa, platinum group metals have gradually replaced gold as the most important export mineral products. South Africa is also the fourth largest diamond producer in the world, accounting for about 9% of the world's production. South Africa's De Beers Company is the largest diamond production and sales company in the world, with total assets of $20 billion. Its turnover once accounted for 90% of the world diamond supply market, and it still controls 60% of the world rough diamond trade. The output of major mineral products in 2005 is as follows: diamond 15775 kg, gold 295 tons, chromium 7.494 million tons, manganese 46/kloc-0.20 million tons, iron ore 40 million tons, coal 245 million tons and copper 97,000 tons.

Agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and agriculture are relatively developed. Cultivated land accounts for about 13% of the land area, but high-quality land only accounts for 22% of cultivated land. The employed population of agriculture, forestry and fishery accounts for about 6% of the population, and the export income of its products accounts for 15% of the non-mining export income. In 2006, the total agricultural production accounted for about 2.2% of GDP. Agricultural production is obviously affected by climate change. Corn is the most important food crop, and its output in 2005 was 1 1.45 million tons. All kinds of canned food, cigarettes, wine, coffee and drinks sell well overseas. Rich in flowers and fruits, wine enjoys a high reputation. The output of main crops is as follows (unit: 1,000 tons):

200 1 2002 2003 2004 2005

Corn 7487 9732 9392 948211450

Wheat 25042438154716871804

Sugarcane 23876 21157 23013 2041919095.

Grape1328152216641761682.

Potato 902 782 805 900

Citrus118126312671330140.

(Source: South Africa Economic Quarterly Review 2006)

Animal husbandry is relatively developed. In 2004, the number of live animals in South Africa was: cows13.82 million, sheep (2.5510.0000), pigs1670,000 and goats (6.44 million). 85% of the required meat is self-sufficient, and 15% is imported from neighboring countries such as Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland, as well as Australia, New Zealand and some European countries.

Aquaculture production accounts for 5% in Africa and 0.03% in the world. South Africa's commercial fishing fleet has more than 500 vessels of various types. There are about 28,000 people engaged in marine fishing in China. The main fishing species are mussels, trout, oysters and Cape Cod. The annual catch is about 580,000 tons, and the output value is nearly 2 billion rand. In addition, the annual output value of South Africa's beekeeping industry is about 20 million rand.

Tourism Tourism is the fastest growing industry in South Africa at present, accounting for about 8% of GDP and employing 6,543,800 people. Rich in tourism resources and perfect facilities. There are more than 700 hotels, more than 2,800 large and small hotels and guesthouses, and more than 0/0000 restaurants. Tourist spots are mainly concentrated in the northeast, east and south coastal areas. Eco-tourism and folk tourism are the two most important growth points of tourism in South Africa. In 2006, the number of foreign tourists visiting South Africa reached 8,565,438+0,000, making it the African country that received the most tourists. However, the high crime rate in South Africa has a great negative impact on fully tapping its tourism potential.

Transportation has the most perfect transportation system in Africa and plays an important role in the economy of China and neighboring countries. Mainly by railways and highways, air transport has developed rapidly. In recent years, the construction of transportation infrastructure in towns and economic development zones has been strengthened, and the privatization process of state-owned aviation and highway companies has entered a substantive stage.

Railway: The total length is about 34,654,38+0,000km, of which 1 1,820km is electrified railway with more than 2,000 electric locomotives. The annual freight volume is about 654.38+75 million tons. The luxury blue bus from Pretoria to Cape Town enjoys an international reputation.

Highway: it is divided into national, provincial and local levels. The national highway is 9400 kilometers. Two-way expressway1440km, one-way expressway 440km, one-way highway 56967km and toll road 2200km. The annual passenger traffic is about 4.5 million passengers and the freight volume is 36.5438+10,000 vehicles.

Water transport: the maritime transport industry is developed, and 99% of the trade with countries outside Africa is completed by sea. The main ports are Cape Town, Durban, East London, port elizabeth, Richards, Saldana and Morsel Bay. There are 990 merchant ships with a total tonnage of 755,000 tons. The annual throughput of the port is about 654.38+200 million tons, and in 2002, the throughput of * * containers was 25.2 million. Durban is the busiest port and the largest container distribution center in Africa, with an annual container throughput of 654.38+200,000.

Air transport: * * There are more than 5,900 various types of shipping aircraft, among which South African Airlines has 48 civil aircraft including more than 30 Boeing aircraft and 15 Airbus aircraft, making it one of the top 50 airlines in the world. There are about 27 civil aviation airports, including international airport 1 1. There are more than 600 domestic flights and 70 international flights every week, and there are direct flights with some countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. The main international airports are Johannesburg International Airport, Durban International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. Johannesburg International Airport is the busiest airport on the African continent.

Pipeline transportation: The total length of South Africa's pipeline transportation network is 3,000 kilometers, which transports 85% of the country's petroleum processed products, and 200 1/2 transports 654.38+0.38 billion liters of liquid fuel.

Communication Network South Africa's telecommunications and information technology industries have developed rapidly, and the level of telecommunications development ranks 20th in the world. * * * There are 5.3 million fixed telephones, accounting for 40% of Africa. Mobile phone users are about150,000. 3.28 million Internet users. TELKOM, a South African telecommunications company, is the 28th largest telecommunications company in the world. DIDATA and DATATEC, the two largest information technology companies, have gained a place in the British and American markets. Its satellite live broadcast and network technology are very competitive in the world. South African Milad International Holding Company (MIH) monopolizes most satellite live broadcast services in sub-Saharan Africa. The software industry has also begun to move towards the international market.

The financial revenue and expenditure in recent years are as follows: (unit: million rand)

200 1/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/2005 2005/2006

Income 248101278885 298870 34729141163.

Expenditure 262905291529 328744 368086 416799

Deficit or surplus-14804-12644-29874-20795-5635

(Economic Quarterly Review in 2006)

At the end of February, 2006, the official foreign exchange reserve was $236,543.8 billion (excluding gold). As of September 2006, the total foreign debt was about 5.51billion dollars.

The South African Reserve Bank, a southern central bank, was established in 1920. It is a joint-stock limited bank, which enjoys great independent decision-making power except that the president and vice president are appointed by the government. Headquartered in Pretoria. In 2004, the assets were 654.38+0302 billion rand.

By the end of February 2004, there were 35 registered banks in South Africa, including 15 branches of foreign banks and 2 mutual banks. In addition, 45 foreign banks have representative offices in South Africa. * * * It has 8,438 branches and representative offices with117,000 employees. The four largest banks are:

United Bank Group of South Africa Limited is the largest banking group in South Africa with total assets of 269 billion rand (March 2003). Established in 199 1.

Standard bank group ltd Limited, with total assets of US$ 27.5 billion, formerly known as Standard Bank Investment Limited, was established in 1969.

First Rand Holdings Limited was established in 1998.

Nedkol Bank Limited: total assets of 654.38+064 billion rand.

The total assets of the above four banking groups are about 1 10 100 billion rand, accounting for 82% of the total assets of the banking industry in South Africa.

Foreign Trade South Africa implements a free trade system and is one of the founding members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The European Union and the United States are traditional trading partners of South Africa, but in recent years, trade with Asia, the Middle East and other regions is also growing. In 2006, the total trade in goods was about $654.38+026.8 billion. The foreign trade situation in recent years is as follows (unit: one billion rand):

200 1 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Export value: 251331412755 2962 3314 3965.

Import value: 2160 2754 2588 3069 3517 4650.

(Source: South African Ministry of Trade and Industry website)

Export products include: gold, metals and metal products, diamonds, food, beverages and tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment and other finished products. It mainly imports machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, chemical products and petroleum. The top ten export destinations in 2006 are: Japan, the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and Italy. The top ten importing countries are: Germany, China, the United States, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Iran, France, Italy and South Korea.

Since the 1994 general election, South Africa has changed from a net capital outflow country to a net capital inflow country. Foreign capital is mainly securities capital, with less direct investment (FDI). In 2006, South Africa absorbed $3.7 billion in foreign direct investment. Mainly from Europe and America, especially Europe. South Africa's accumulated investment accounts for nearly 70% in Europe and nearly 20% in America. Britain is the country with the largest cumulative direct investment in South Africa, accounting for about two fifths. The investments of foreign companies with assets in South Africa are mainly concentrated in the sectors of mining, manufacturing, finance, petroleum processing and sales. The restructuring plan of state-owned enterprises being implemented by the government will help South Africa attract more foreign medium-and long-term direct investment capital in the future.

People's Livelihood South Africa is a middle-income country, but there is a big gap between the rich and the poor, and the income gap between races is obvious. Two thirds of the national income is concentrated in the hands of the rich, who account for 20% of the total population. The South African government launched the "Reconstruction and Development Plan" on 1994, and plans to raise 37.5 billion rand in five years to build housing, water and electricity facilities and provide basic medical services. From 65438 to 0997, the White Paper on Social Security was formulated, which made poverty alleviation and assistance to the elderly, the disabled and the young as social welfare priorities. In 2005, the average life expectancy was 46 years and the infant mortality rate was 5.5%. There are 443 doctors for every 6.5438 million people. AIDS is one of the serious social problems facing South Africa.

Cultural Education Due to the long-term apartheid education system, the educational opportunities of blacks are far lower than those of whites. 1995 1 In June, South Africa officially implemented free compulsory education for children aged 7 to 16, and abolished textbooks in the apartheid era. The government has continuously increased investment in education, focusing on the reform of teaching courses, education financing system and higher education system. In 2004, the adult literacy rate was 82%. The population with higher education accounts for about 8.4% of the total population. In 2005, education expenditure was 1, 3 1 100 million rand, accounting for 5.5% of GDP. Famous universities include: University of Witwatersrand, University of Pretoria, University of South Africa, University of Cape Town, University of Zululan, etc.

News and Publication The number of newspapers and periodicals published regularly ranks first in Africa. * * * There are daily newspapers 19, weekly newspapers 10, more than 200 provincial and local newspapers and more than 800 magazines. Sunday Times (English), Daily Sun (English), Herald (Afrikaans), Soweto (English), City (English), Star (English) and Citizen (English) have a large circulation. Among them, The Sunday Times, The Herald and The Sunday Independent are national newspapers.

The South African Press Association is the only non-governmental and non-profit national news agency. The South African Broadcasting Corporation owns radio and television stations. The radio station broadcasts 22 programs in 1 1 language to China, with a weekly broadcast time of 3,492 hours; In the name of "Africa Channel", it is broadcast abroad in four languages, with a weekly broadcast of 208 hours. The TV station has six channels, among which three official channels broadcast in the language 1 1. M-net is the most influential pay TV channel in Africa.