Total debt service in South Africa
South Africa: Total debt service was 5.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total debt service in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of GNI.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 5.7% for total debt service in 2024.
The figure is down 5.6% on the previous year and up 110.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total debt service in South Africa peaked at 8.4% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 2007.
That places South Africa 39th out of 122 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total debt service in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of GNI | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1.9% | — |
| 1995 | 2.0% | +4.6% |
| 1996 | 2.6% | +31.8% |
| 1997 | 3.9% | +49.2% |
| 1998 | 2.9% | -25.7% |
| 1999 | 3.0% | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 2.7% | -9.6% |
| 2001 | 3.4% | +25.3% |
| 2002 | 4.1% | +21.4% |
| 2003 | 2.3% | -44.3% |
| 2004 | 1.6% | -29.2% |
| 2005 | 1.7% | +7.1% |
| 2006 | 2.6% | +47.5% |
| 2007 | 1.4% | -44.9% |
| 2008 | 2.3% | +60.0% |
| 2009 | 1.7% | -23.7% |
| 2010 | 1.6% | -5.8% |
| 2011 | 1.5% | -7.8% |
| 2012 | 2.5% | +67.7% |
| 2013 | 3.5% | +37.2% |
| 2014 | 2.7% | -21.2% |
| 2015 | 8.0% | +194.1% |
| 2016 | 4.6% | -42.8% |
| 2017 | 4.0% | -12.4% |
| 2018 | 7.4% | +83.9% |
| 2019 | 5.6% | -23.4% |
| 2020 | 8.4% | +48.3% |
| 2021 | 6.5% | -22.6% |
| 2022 | 6.9% | +6.8% |
| 2023 | 6.1% | -12.1% |
| 2024 | 5.7% | -5.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.7% | 1.9% | 3.9% | 6 |
| 2000s | 2.4% | 1.4% | 4.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 1.5% | 8.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.7% | 5.7% | 8.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 36 Argentina 6.3% compare
- 37 Republic of Moldova 6.2% compare
- 38 Azerbaijan 5.8% compare
- 40 Cape Verde 5.7% compare
- 41 Indonesia 5.6% compare
- 42 Morocco 5.6% 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)
- Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$), per capita 5,013 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (current US$), annual growth rate 7.25 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.986 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (current US$), per capita 6,505 current US$ per person (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (current LCU), annual growth rate 4.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (current LCU), per unit of GDP 17.64 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (current LCU), per capita 116,367 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross national expenditure (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 2.43 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total debt service in South Africa?
- Total debt service in South Africa was 5.7% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total debt service recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8.4% in 2020.
- What is the lowest total debt service recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 2007.
- How does South Africa rank for total debt service?
- South Africa ranks 39th out of 122 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total debt service rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 110.9%. 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 Total debt service (% of GNI). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total debt service is the sum of principal repayments and interest actually paid in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt, interest paid on short-term debt, and repayments (repurchases and charges) to the IMF.