South Africa
- Abstract
- Summary
- Comparative Statistical Analysis
- Strengths and Weakness
- Instruments ratifications
- Historical Data
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Wikipedia Country Information
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres (471,445 square miles). South Africa has three capital cities: executive Pretoria, judicial Bloemfontein and legislative Cape Town. The largest city is Johannesburg. About 80% of South Africans are of Black African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European, Asian, and multiracial ancestry.
It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini (former Swaziland); and it surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere, and the most populous country located entirely south of the equator. South Africa is a biodiversity hotspot, with a diversity of unique biomes and plant and animal life.
South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution's recognition of 11 official languages, the fourth-highest number in the world. According to the 2011 census, the two most spoken first languages are Zulu (22.7%) and Xhosa (16.0%). The two next ones are of European origin: Afrikaans (13.5%) developed from Dutch and serves as the first language of most coloured and white South Africans; English (9.6%) reflects the legacy of British colonialism, and is commonly used in public and commercial life. The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup d'état, and regular elections have been held for almost a century. However, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
During the 20th century, the black majority sought to claim more rights from the dominant white minority, which played a large role in the country's recent history and politics. The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a long and sometimes violent struggle by the African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Since 1994, all ethnic and linguistic groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces. South Africa is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid.South Africa is a developing country and ranks 113th on the Human Development Index, the seventh-highest in Africa. It has been classified by the World Bank as a newly industrialised country, with the second-largest economy in Africa, and the 33rd-largest in the world. South Africa also has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. The country is a middle power in international affairs; it maintains significant regional influence and is a member of both the Commonwealth of Nations and G20. However, crime, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about a quarter of the population unemployed and living on less than US$1.25 a day. Moreover, climate change is an important issue for South Africa: it is a major contributor to climate change as the 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases as of 2018 (in large part due to its coal industry), and is vulnerable to many of its impacts, because of its water-insecure environment and vulnerable communities.
Instruments ratified: | 130 / 282 |
---|---|
World Average Ratifications: | 114 / 282 |
Ratification rate: | 43.58% |
World Average Rate: | 41.25% |
Weighted score: | 47.25% |
World Average Weighted Score: | 41.25% |
World rank: | 73 / 194 |
Developing country rank: | 22 / 87 |
Developing country Avg. Ratifications: | 109 / 282 |
Southern Africa rank: | 1 / 5 |
Southern Africa Avg. Ratifications: | 89 / 282 |
CONTRACTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agency | 1/2 (50.00%) | 50.00% | 2.00% | 3 | Strong |
Conflict of laws | 0/7 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 27 | Weak |
E-commerce | 1/3 (33.33%) | 33.33% | 18.00% | 33 | Strong |
Franchising | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Leasing/Factoring | 0/2 | 0.00% | 5.00% | 13 | Weak |
Principles, trade usages and standards | 0/2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Procurement | 0/4 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 31 | Weak |
Sale of Goods | 0/5 | 0.00% | 25.00% | 89 | Weak |
Travel contracts | 0/1 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 7 | Weak |
Total | 2 | 8.70% | 9.00% | 86 | Weak |
CUSTOMS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Customs Codification | 2/3 (66.67%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Customs Cooperation | 4/6 (66.67%) | 80.00% | 26.00% | 1 | Strong |
Exemption from Duties | 1/9 (11.11%) | 3.70% | 30.00% | 132 | Weak |
Temporary Admission | 7/11 (63.64%) | 67.65% | 28.00% | 27 | Strong |
Transit | 0/4 | 0.00% | 28.00% | 98 | Weak |
Total | 14 | 44.57% | 31.00% | 55 | Strong |
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Arbitration | 1/6 (16.67%) | 25.00% | 32.00% | 86 | Weak |
Judicial cooperation | 2/5 (40.00%) | 52.63% | 36.00% | 58 | Strong |
Recognition of foreign judgments | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 6 | Weak |
State court jurisdiction | 0/4 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 29 | Weak |
State court procedure | 0/1 | 0.00% | 6.00% | 12 | Weak |
State immunities | 0/1 | 0.00% | 11.00% | 22 | Weak |
Total | 3 | 30.00% | 29.00% | 69 | Weak |
ENVIRONMENT AND PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air | 4/5 (80.00%) | 80.00% | 86.00% | 59 | Weak |
Chemicals | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Energy | 0/2 | 0.00% | 25.00% | 50 | Weak |
Flora and fauna | 8/10 (80.00%) | 78.26% | 68.00% | 44 | Strong |
Foodstuff | 1/2 (50.00%) | 37.50% | 79.00% | 136 | Weak |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
International watercourses | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 18.00% | 1 | Strong |
Maritime and Law of the Sea | 17/26 (65.38%) | 66.30% | 46.00% | 50 | Strong |
Protected geographical areas | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 27.00% | 1 | Strong |
Waste | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 35 | 72.40% | 61.00% | 47 | Strong |
FINANCE, PAYMENTS AND INSOLVENCY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Assignment of receivables | 0/1 | 0.00% | 1.00% | 2 | Weak |
Bankruptcy and insolvency | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 21.00% | 1 | Strong |
Bills of exchange and promissory notes | 0/4 | 0.00% | 8.00% | 43 | Weak |
Cheques | 0/3 | 0.00% | 13.00% | 36 | Weak |
Credit transfers | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
International guarantees | 2/3 (66.67%) | 54.55% | 20.00% | 5 | Strong |
Total | 3 | 26.83% | 12.00% | 16 | Strong |
GOOD GOVERNANCE | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Corruption | 3/4 (75.00%) | 75.00% | 50.00% | 6 | Strong |
Cultural Property | 3/4 (75.00%) | 68.75% | 54.00% | 38 | Strong |
Drugs | 3/3 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
Insider Trading | 0/1 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 9 | Weak |
Organized crime | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 80.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 11 | 82.69% | 68.00% | 30 | Strong |
HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOUR STANDARDS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Human Rights | 6/7 (85.71%) | 85.71% | 96.00% | 143 | Weak |
Labour Standards | 7/8 (87.50%) | 87.50% | 86.00% | 134 | Weak |
Total | 13 | 86.67% | 91.00% | 150 | Weak |
INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Dispute Resolution | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 39.00% | 1 | Strong |
International Trade Law | 10/10 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 73.00% | 1 | Strong |
Trade support institutions | 4/6 (66.67%) | 66.67% | 51.00% | 56 | Strong |
Total | 15 | 88.24% | 63.00% | 36 | Strong |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Broadcasting | 0/1 | 0.00% | 47.00% | 93 | Weak |
Copyright | 1/3 (33.33%) | 45.45% | 65.00% | 112 | Weak |
Industrial designs | 0/2 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 82 | Weak |
Integrated circuits | 0/1 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 4 | Weak |
Neighboring Rights | 0/3 | 0.00% | 46.00% | 120 | Weak |
Origin | 0/3 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 51 | Weak |
Patents | 3/5 (60.00%) | 71.43% | 57.00% | 60 | Strong |
Trademarks | 0/6 | 0.00% | 33.00% | 124 | Weak |
Varieties of plants | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 37.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 5 | 26.32% | 42.00% | 120 | Weak |
INVESTMENTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Investment disputes | 0/2 | 0.00% | 39.00% | 152 | Weak |
Investment guaranty | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 1 | 33.33% | 57.00% | 148 | Weak |
PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Marine Resources | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 24.00% | 1 | Strong |
Timber | 0/1 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 61 | Weak |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 92.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 2 | 61.54% | 53.00% | 61 | Strong |
TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air transport | 4/7 (57.14%) | 76.19% | 59.00% | 54 | Strong |
Aircrafts and civil aviation | 6/9 (66.67%) | 88.00% | 74.00% | 37 | Strong |
Maritime shipping and load lines | 7/13 (53.85%) | 65.71% | 66.00% | 130 | Weak |
Maritime transport | 3/12 (25.00%) | 20.83% | 27.00% | 103 | Weak |
Multi modal transport | 0/2 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 15 | Weak |
Rail transport | 0/3 | 0.00% | 22.00% | 50 | Weak |
Road transport | 1/4 (25.00%) | 27.78% | 31.00% | 70 | Weak |
Space | 3/4 (75.00%) | 83.33% | 40.00% | 16 | Strong |
Telecommunications | 1/2 (50.00%) | 83.33% | 47.00% | 26 | Strong |
Total | 25 | 54.73% | 50.00% | 83 | Weak |
TREATIES LAW | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
General | 0/4 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 113 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 113 | Weak |
WTO | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Plurilateral Agreements | 0/2 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 45 | Weak |
WTO Agreements | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 81.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 1 | 45.45% | 47.00% | 45 | Weak |
Strong | |
---|---|
Contracts | Agency |
Contracts | E-commerce |
Customs | Customs Codification |
Customs | Customs Cooperation |
Customs | Temporary Admission |
Dispute resolution | Judicial cooperation |
Environment and products | Chemicals |
Environment and products | Flora and fauna |
Environment and products | International watercourses |
Environment and products | Maritime and Law of the Sea |
Environment and products | Protected geographical areas |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bankruptcy and insolvency |
Finance, payments and insolvency | International guarantees |
Good Governance | Corruption |
Good Governance | Cultural Property |
Good Governance | Organized crime |
Institutional Participation | Dispute Resolution |
Institutional Participation | International Trade Law |
Institutional Participation | Trade support institutions |
Intellectual property | Patents |
Intellectual property | Varieties of plants |
Products | Marine Resources |
Transport and telecommunications | Air transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Aircrafts and civil aviation |
Transport and telecommunications | Space |
Transport and telecommunications | Telecommunications |
WTO | WTO Agreements |
Average | |
Contracts | Franchising |
Contracts | Principles, trade usages and standards |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Credit transfers |
Weak | |
Contracts | Conflict of laws |
Contracts | Leasing/Factoring |
Contracts | Procurement |
Contracts | Sale of Goods |
Contracts | Travel contracts |
Customs | Exemption from Duties |
Customs | Transit |
Dispute resolution | Arbitration |
Dispute resolution | Recognition of foreign judgments |
Dispute resolution | State court jurisdiction |
Dispute resolution | State court procedure |
Dispute resolution | State immunities |
Environment and products | Air |
Environment and products | Energy |
Environment and products | Foodstuff |
Environment and products | General |
Environment and products | Waste |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Assignment of receivables |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bills of exchange and promissory notes |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Cheques |
Good Governance | Drugs |
Good Governance | Insider Trading |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Human rights |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Labour Standards |
Intellectual property | Broadcasting |
Intellectual property | Copyright |
Intellectual property | Industrial designs |
Intellectual property | Integrated circuits |
Intellectual property | Neighboring Rights |
Intellectual property | Origin |
Intellectual property | Trademarks |
Investments | Investment disputes |
Investments | Investment guaranty |
Products | General |
Products | Timber |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime shipping and load lines |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Multi modal transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Rail transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Road transport |
Treaties law | General |
WTO | Plurilateral Agreements |
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