External debt stocks, total in South Africa
South Africa: External debt stocks, total was 175.90 billion DOD, current US$ in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External debt stocks, total in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in DOD, current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external debt stocks, total in South Africa is 175.90 billion DOD, current US$, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.1% on the previous year and up 17.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external debt stocks, total in South Africa peaked at 190.75 billion DOD, current US$ in 2019 and was at its lowest, 21.67 billion DOD, current US$, in 1994.
South Africa ranks 12th of 121 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 25.91 billion DOD, current US$ | 21.67 billion DOD, current US$ | 30.63 billion DOD, current US$ | 6 |
| 2000s | 50.61 billion DOD, current US$ | 25.68 billion DOD, current US$ | 84.38 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 149.62 billion DOD, current US$ | 115.33 billion DOD, current US$ | 190.75 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 171.67 billion DOD, current US$ | 165.84 billion DOD, current US$ | 175.90 billion DOD, current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 9 Colombia 201.76 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 10 Ukraine 193.49 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 11 Thailand 191.83 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 13 Kazakhstan 167.53 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 14 Egypt 155.97 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 15 Philippines 137.02 billion DOD, current US$ compare
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)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), annual growth rate 7.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1002 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), per capita 660.86 current US$ per person (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), annual growth rate 5.31 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), per unit of GDP 1.79 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), per capita 11,822 current LCU per person (2025)
- Special drawing rights per domestic currency (End-of-period (EoP)) 0.044 (2025)
- Domestic currency per Special drawing rights (End-of-period (EoP)) 22.74 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external debt stocks, total in South Africa?
- External debt stocks, total in South Africa was 175.90 billion DOD, current US$ in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest external debt stocks, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 190.75 billion DOD, current US$ in 2019.
- What is the lowest external debt stocks, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.67 billion DOD, current US$ in 1994.
- How does South Africa rank for external debt stocks, total?
- South Africa ranks 12th out of 121 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external debt stocks, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of External debt stocks, total (DOD, current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Data are in current U.S. dollars.