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South Africa · Government & public finance

Public debt, deficits, revenue, spending and taxation.

18 indicators · 14 with data

Debt / GDP

% of GDP

28th of 33 · 5th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Debt / GDPSouth Africa's debt / gdp rose from 32.4 % in 1990 to 82.8 % in 2024.19901995200020052010201520200%20%40%60%80%100%82.8 %

South Africa's debt / gdp rose from 32.4 % in 1990 to 82.8 % in 2024.

Gross debt / GDP

% of GDP

75th of 94 · 18th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Gross debt / GDPSouth Africa's gross debt / gdp rose from 37.9 % in 2000 to 78.6 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%20%40%60%80%78.6 %

South Africa's gross debt / gdp rose from 37.9 % in 2000 to 78.6 % in 2025.

Interest payments (% of revenue)

% of revenue

76th of 87 · 10th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Interest payments (% of revenue)South Africa's interest payments (% of revenue) fell from 21.6 % in 1995 to 18.2 % in 2024.1995200020052010201520200%5%10%15%20%25%18.2 %

South Africa's interest payments (% of revenue) fell from 21.6 % in 1995 to 18.2 % in 2024.

External debt stocks (% of GNI)

% of GNI

54th of 110 · 21st in Sub-Saharan Africa
External debt stocks (% of GNI)South Africa's external debt stocks (% of gni) rose from 15.0 % in 1995 to 44.8 % in 2024.1995200020052010201520200%20%40%60%44.8 %

South Africa's external debt stocks (% of gni) rose from 15.0 % in 1995 to 44.8 % in 2024.

Fiscal balance

% of GDP

86th of 97 · 15th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Fiscal balanceSouth Africa's fiscal balance fell from -1.4 % in 2000 to -5.8 % in 2025.200020052010201520202025-10%-8%-6%-4%-2%0%2%-5.8 %

South Africa's fiscal balance fell from -1.4 % in 2000 to -5.8 % in 2025.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

No data available (4)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for South Africa.

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