Claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa
South Africa: Claims on governments and other public entities was 16.0% in 2005. ◆ Volatile
Claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa, 1960–2005
Source: "International Monetary Fund. ". Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2005, claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa stood at 16.0%.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and up 193.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa peaked at 23.6% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 2.0%, in 1990.
That places South Africa 5th out of 48 countries with data for 2005, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 18.7% | — |
| 1961 | 19.8% | +5.7% |
| 1962 | 18.7% | -5.5% |
| 1963 | 15.2% | -18.9% |
| 1964 | 15.1% | -0.3% |
| 1965 | 16.5% | +9.3% |
| 1966 | 17.8% | +7.8% |
| 1967 | 17.4% | -2.5% |
| 1968 | 17.2% | -1.3% |
| 1969 | 18.3% | +6.9% |
| 1970 | 23.6% | +28.5% |
| 1971 | 22.9% | -2.9% |
| 1972 | 23.1% | +0.7% |
| 1973 | 19.7% | -14.5% |
| 1974 | 20.8% | +5.4% |
| 1975 | 18.5% | -10.8% |
| 1976 | 18.3% | -1.0% |
| 1977 | 10.2% | -44.4% |
| 1978 | 7.9% | -22.1% |
| 1979 | 5.9% | -25.3% |
| 1980 | 9.0% | +51.0% |
| 1981 | 8.5% | -4.7% |
| 1982 | 7.8% | -8.0% |
| 1983 | 6.7% | -14.5% |
| 1984 | 4.5% | -33.1% |
| 1985 | 5.9% | +30.6% |
| 1987 | 2.9% | -51.2% |
| 1988 | 3.6% | +25.4% |
| 1989 | 6.3% | +76.2% |
| 1990 | 2.0% | -68.1% |
| 1991 | 3.1% | +52.4% |
| 1992 | 5.4% | +75.0% |
| 1993 | 7.3% | +36.6% |
| 1994 | 6.1% | -17.5% |
| 1995 | 5.5% | -9.6% |
| 1996 | 3.5% | -35.4% |
| 1997 | 6.2% | +76.0% |
| 1998 | 14.0% | +125.3% |
| 1999 | 14.3% | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 11.6% | -18.4% |
| 2001 | 11.0% | -5.4% |
| 2002 | 9.9% | -9.7% |
| 2003 | 14.1% | +41.8% |
| 2004 | 15.8% | +12.0% |
| 2005 | 16.0% | +1.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 16.0% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.9%, 5.5× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 16.0% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 9.3%, 1.7× the median. (7 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | +125.3% | 6.2% | 14.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 17.5% | 15.1% | 19.8% | 10 |
| 1970s | 17.1% | 5.9% | 23.6% | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.1% | 2.9% | 9.0% | 9 |
| 1990s | 6.7% | 2.0% | 14.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 13.1% | 9.9% | 16.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa?
- Claims on governments and other public entities in South Africa was 16.0% in 2005, according to "International Monetary Fund. ".
- What is the highest claims on governments and other public entities recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23.6% in 1970.
- What is the lowest claims on governments and other public entities recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.0% in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for claims on governments and other public entities?
- South Africa ranks 5th out of 48 countries with data for 2005.
- Is claims on governments and other public entities rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 193.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from "International Monetary Fund. ", published as part of Claims on governments and other public entities (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Claims on governments and other public entities (IFS line 32an + 32b + 32bx + 32c) usually comprise direct credit for specific purposes such as financing of the government budget deficit or loans to state enterprises, advances against future credit authorizations, and purchases of treasury bills and bonds, net of deposits by the public sector. Public sector deposits with the banking system also include sinking funds for the service of debt and temporary deposits of government revenues. Data are in current local currency.