| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Military expenditure (% GDP) | 0.7 %SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2024] |
| Military expenditure | 2,840,000,000 US$SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2024] |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 peopleWorld Bank WDI [2020] |
| Arms imports | 30,000,000 US$SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2023] |
| Arms exports | 27,000,000 US$SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2024] |
| Military & security forces | South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army (includes Reserve Force), South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health ServicesMinistry of Police: South African Police Service (SAPS) (2025)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Military service age & obligation | 18-22 (18-26 for college graduates) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; initial 24-month service obligation (2025); note: in 2023, women comprised nearly 30% of the militaryCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Arms imports (USD) | 30,000,000 US$SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2023] |
| Arms exports (USD) | 27,000,000 US$SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2024] |
| Military spending (% of GDP) | 0.7 %SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2024] |
| Military spending (USD) | 2,840,000,000 US$SIPRI via World Bank WDI [2024] |
Defense
South Africa
Section metadata
Data year2025
EditionDatabook 2026
Coverage11/11
LicenseCC-BY
Datasets on this page
- World Bank WDIworld_bank_wdiEdition: 2024
- CIA World Factbookcia_factbookEdition: 2025
About this data
South Africa's defense on Databook compiles 11 indicators from 2 open datasets including World Bank WDI, CIA World Factbook. Key figures include military expenditure (% gdp) (0.7 %), military expenditure (2,840,000,000 US$). Data is referenced to 2025. Every value carries its source and publication year, published under open licenses.