Debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa
South Africa: Debt service as a share of exports of good and services was 8.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa, 2000–2023
Source: World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 8.1% for debt service as a share of exports of good and services in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 14.3% on the previous year and up 15.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa peaked at 15.2% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 2.7%, in 2007.
South Africa ranks 53rd of 116 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.
Debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5.9% | — |
| 2001 | 7.0% | +17.8% |
| 2002 | 4.9% | -29.5% |
| 2003 | 4.7% | -5.1% |
| 2004 | 3.2% | -30.3% |
| 2005 | 5.6% | +73.2% |
| 2006 | 5.1% | -9.1% |
| 2007 | 2.7% | -46.7% |
| 2008 | 2.9% | +6.6% |
| 2009 | 3.6% | +25.4% |
| 2010 | 2.9% | -21.1% |
| 2011 | 2.9% | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 4.8% | +68.9% |
| 2013 | 7.0% | +44.9% |
| 2014 | 3.8% | -46.3% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +305.6% |
| 2016 | 5.8% | -61.7% |
| 2017 | 5.0% | -14.0% |
| 2018 | 13.2% | +162.4% |
| 2019 | 6.7% | -48.9% |
| 2020 | 10.9% | +62.1% |
| 2021 | 8.0% | -26.8% |
| 2022 | 9.4% | +17.5% |
| 2023 | 8.1% | -14.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 8.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 7.6%, 1.1× the median. (50 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 8.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.1%, 89% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | +305.6% | 3.8% | 15.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.6% | 2.7% | 7.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.7% | 2.9% | 15.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.1% | 8.0% | 10.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.01 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0094 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -61.95 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -2.16 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -192.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0051 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -33.37 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa?
- Debt service as a share of exports of good and services in South Africa was 8.1% in 2023, according to World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest debt service as a share of exports of good and services recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 15.2% in 2015.
- What is the lowest debt service as a share of exports of good and services recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7% in 2007.
- How does South Africa rank for debt service as a share of exports of good and services?
- South Africa ranks 53rd out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
- Is debt service as a share of exports of good and services rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Debt service as a share of exports of good and services. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods, services and primary income (%).