Short-term debt in South Africa
South Africa: Short-term debt was 71.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Short-term debt in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total reserves.
Analysis
In 2024, short-term debt in South Africa stood at 71.6%.
That represents a change of up 5.9% on the previous year and down 17.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, short-term debt in South Africa peaked at 462.7% in 1996 and was at its lowest, 60.1%, in 2011.
South Africa ranks 18th of 112 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Short-term debt in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total reserves | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 234.9% | — |
| 1995 | 216.7% | -7.7% |
| 1996 | 462.7% | +113.5% |
| 1997 | 183.4% | -60.4% |
| 1998 | 207.8% | +13.3% |
| 1999 | 144.3% | -30.6% |
| 2000 | 124.0% | -14.0% |
| 2001 | 109.5% | -11.7% |
| 2002 | 103.0% | -5.9% |
| 2003 | 137.3% | +33.2% |
| 2004 | 91.0% | -33.7% |
| 2005 | 85.2% | -6.4% |
| 2006 | 95.3% | +11.9% |
| 2007 | 88.8% | -6.9% |
| 2008 | 92.2% | +3.8% |
| 2009 | 73.7% | -20.0% |
| 2010 | 73.2% | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 60.1% | -17.8% |
| 2012 | 72.0% | +19.7% |
| 2013 | 72.9% | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 86.4% | +18.5% |
| 2015 | 80.7% | -6.6% |
| 2016 | 78.8% | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 80.6% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 92.7% | +15.0% |
| 2019 | 80.8% | -12.8% |
| 2020 | 67.4% | -16.6% |
| 2021 | 63.0% | -6.5% |
| 2022 | 70.9% | +12.6% |
| 2023 | 67.6% | -4.7% |
| 2024 | 71.6% | +5.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 241.6% | 144.3% | 462.7% | 6 |
| 2000s | 100.0% | 73.7% | 137.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 77.8% | 60.1% | 92.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 68.1% | 63.0% | 71.6% | 5 |
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)
- Exports of goods and services (current LCU), annual growth rate 2.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per unit of GDP 5.62 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (current LCU), per capita 37,072 current LCU per person (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate -2.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.232 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Exports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per capita 1,531 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross fixed capital formation (current US$), annual growth rate 1.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross fixed capital formation (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1388 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is short-term debt in South Africa?
- Short-term debt in South Africa was 71.6% in 2024, according to World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest short-term debt recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 462.7% in 1996.
- What is the lowest short-term debt recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.1% in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for short-term debt?
- South Africa ranks 18th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is short-term debt rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB), published as part of Short-term debt (% of total reserves). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Total reserves includes gold.