Bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa
South Africa: Bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans was 4.5% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa, 2008–2024
Source: Financial Soundness Indicators, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa is 4.5%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 4.0% on the previous year and up 39.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa peaked at 5.9% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 2.8%, in 2017.
South Africa ranks 49th of 151 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 17 years of available data.
Bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3.9% | — |
| 2009 | 5.9% | +51.4% |
| 2010 | 5.8% | -2.4% |
| 2011 | 4.7% | -19.2% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | -13.6% |
| 2013 | 3.6% | -9.9% |
| 2014 | 3.2% | -10.9% |
| 2015 | 3.1% | -3.8% |
| 2016 | 2.9% | -8.5% |
| 2017 | 2.8% | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 3.7% | +31.2% |
| 2019 | 3.9% | +4.4% |
| 2020 | 5.2% | +33.1% |
| 2021 | 4.5% | -14.0% |
| 2022 | 4.1% | -7.0% |
| 2023 | 4.7% | +14.0% |
| 2024 | 4.5% | -4.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.9% | 3.9% | 5.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 3.8% | 2.8% | 5.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.6% | 4.1% | 5.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 46 Viet Nam 4.8% compare
- 47 Seychelles 4.7% compare
- 48 Gambia 4.6% compare
- 50 Russian Federation 4.5% compare
- 51 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.5% compare
- 52 Ecuador 4.5% compare
More financial sector data for South Africa
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0021 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 13.81 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0.0607 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0015 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 10.08 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0021 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 13.81 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0.0607 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa?
- Bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans in South Africa was 4.5% in 2024, according to Financial Soundness Indicators, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.9% in 2009.
- What is the lowest bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8% in 2017.
- How does South Africa rank for bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans?
- South Africa ranks 49th out of 151 countries with data for 2024.
- Is bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 39.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Financial Soundness Indicators, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Bank nonperforming loans to total gross loans (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The indicator measures the proportion of a deposit taker’s loan portfolio that is impaired or at risk of default. It is calculated as the ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) to total gross loans, where NPLs are defined as loans that are past due by 90 days or more or are otherwise considered unlikely to be repaid in full without the realization of collateral. Both non-performing loans and total gross loans should be reported at their gross book value, without deducting for loan-loss provisions or collateral. This indicator provides a key measure of asset quality and potential credit risk in the banking system.