How much ‘black money’ flows out of SA illegally

South Africa has been responsible for approximately $210 billion worth of illegal financial movements between 2004 and and 2013 – one of the highest among emerging economies.

This is according to a new report from research group, Global Finance Integrity (GFI), which tracked illicit financial flows over that period.

Illicit financial flows are illegal movements of money or capital from one country to another. The movement of money is classified as an illicit flow when the funds are illegally earned, transferred, and/or utilised.

These movements include trade mis-pricing, bulk cash movements, hawala transactions, smuggling and more.

According to the GFI, illicit financial flows have surged to $1.1 trillion (R16 trillion) in 2013 from $465 billion (R6.8 trillion) in 2004, calling the practice “the most damaging economic problem faced by the world’s emerging and developing countries”.

Illicit financial flows averaged a “staggering” 4% of the developing world’s GDP in 2013, and Sub-Saharan Africa suffered the largest illicit financial outflows, averaging 6.1% of GDP.

South Africa’s illicit flows averaged $20.9 billion (R305 billion) over the period (6% of 2013’s GDP), with a cumulative tally of $209.2 billion (R3.05 trillion).

Notably, South Africa made the largest jump from the tenth to the seventh spot, surpassing Nigeria to become the largest IFF source country on the African continent.

Illitic outflow rankings (2004-2013)

More on tax evasion

South African tax dodgers are screwed

Best countries to stash your cash and avoid tax

How much SA cash is ‘hidden’ in Swiss banks