Current account balance (credit less debit), Net (credits less) in South Africa
South Africa: Current account balance (credit less debit), Net (credits less) was -2.58 billion in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Current account balance (credit less debit), Net (credits less debits) in South Africa, 2005–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) in South Africa is -2.58 billion, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 38.7% on the previous year and up 85.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) in South Africa peaked at 15.84 billion in 2021 and was at its lowest, -21.40 billion, in 2013.
South Africa ranks 160th of 198 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Current account balance (credit less debit), Net (credits less) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | -8.02 billion | — |
| 2006 | -12.15 billion | +51.6% |
| 2007 | -16.19 billion | +33.2% |
| 2008 | -16.40 billion | +1.2% |
| 2009 | -7.86 billion | -52.0% |
| 2010 | -5.42 billion | -31.1% |
| 2011 | -9.25 billion | +70.7% |
| 2012 | -20.35 billion | +119.9% |
| 2013 | -21.40 billion | +5.2% |
| 2014 | -18.34 billion | -14.3% |
| 2015 | -14.94 billion | -18.5% |
| 2016 | -8.52 billion | -43.0% |
| 2017 | -9.06 billion | +6.3% |
| 2018 | -12.16 billion | +34.3% |
| 2019 | -10.20 billion | -16.1% |
| 2020 | 6.77 billion | -166.4% |
| 2021 | 15.84 billion | +134.0% |
| 2022 | -1.21 billion | -107.6% |
| 2023 | -4.21 billion | +248.7% |
| 2024 | -2.58 billion | -38.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's -2.58 billion is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is -494.28 million, 5.2× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- South Africa's -2.58 billion is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -606.36 million, 4.3× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -12.12 billion | -16.40 billion | -7.86 billion | 5 |
| 2010s | -12.97 billion | -21.40 billion | -5.42 billion | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.92 billion | -4.21 billion | 15.84 billion | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 157 Mongolia -2.49 billion compare
- 158 Mozambique -2.49 billion compare
- 159 Belgium -2.54 billion compare
- 161 Democratic Republic of Congo -2.72 billion compare
- 162 Saudi Arabia -2.74 billion compare
- 163 Algeria -2.75 billion 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 current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) in South Africa?
- Current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) in South Africa was -2.58 billion in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 15.84 billion in 2021.
- What is the lowest current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -21.40 billion in 2013.
- How does South Africa rank for current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits)?
- South Africa ranks 160th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is current account balance (credit less debit), net (credits less debits) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 85.9%. 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 Current account balance (credit less debit), Net (credits less debits) (US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The World and Country Group Aggregates (historically called BOPSY) is an annual publication, released each November, of major balance of payments and international investment position components for countries, country groups, and the world.