International debt issues to GDP (%) in South Africa
South Africa: International debt issues to GDP (%) was 27.6% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
International debt issues to GDP in South Africa, 1980–2020
Source: Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for international debt issues to gdp in South Africa is 27.6%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
That represents a change of up 24.6% on the previous year and up 133.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, international debt issues to gdp in South Africa peaked at 27.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.9%, in 1993.
South Africa ranks 42nd of 116 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
International debt issues to GDP (%) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 2.4% | — |
| 1981 | 2.1% | -10.5% |
| 1982 | 2.3% | +8.5% |
| 1983 | 2.4% | +2.2% |
| 1984 | 3.2% | +36.0% |
| 1985 | 5.3% | +65.9% |
| 1986 | 5.2% | -2.5% |
| 1987 | 4.2% | -18.6% |
| 1988 | 3.1% | -25.7% |
| 1989 | 2.7% | -12.8% |
| 1990 | 1.6% | -42.0% |
| 1991 | 1.1% | -28.9% |
| 1992 | 1.1% | +1.4% |
| 1993 | 0.9% | -26.0% |
| 1994 | 1.8% | +110.1% |
| 1995 | 2.4% | +33.6% |
| 1996 | 3.0% | +23.8% |
| 1997 | 3.2% | +6.8% |
| 1998 | 4.4% | +38.5% |
| 1999 | 5.4% | +22.8% |
| 2000 | 6.2% | +15.7% |
| 2001 | 8.1% | +30.3% |
| 2002 | 11.4% | +40.6% |
| 2003 | 11.4% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 10.9% | -4.7% |
| 2005 | 10.3% | -5.2% |
| 2006 | 12.2% | +17.7% |
| 2007 | 14.1% | +16.1% |
| 2008 | 12.4% | -11.9% |
| 2009 | 12.9% | +4.1% |
| 2010 | 11.8% | -8.7% |
| 2011 | 11.9% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 13.7% | +14.6% |
| 2013 | 15.7% | +15.0% |
| 2014 | 15.8% | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 18.9% | +19.9% |
| 2016 | 21.1% | +11.5% |
| 2017 | 19.8% | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 20.3% | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 22.2% | +9.0% |
| 2020 | 27.6% | +24.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 27.6% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 17.5%, 1.6× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 27.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.3%, 2.3× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.3% | 2.1% | 5.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.5% | 0.9% | 5.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 11.0% | 6.2% | 14.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.1% | 11.8% | 22.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 27.6% | 27.6% | 27.6% | 1 |
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 international debt issues to gdp in South Africa?
- International debt issues to gdp in South Africa was 27.6% in 2020, according to Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
- What is the highest international debt issues to gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 27.6% in 2020.
- What is the lowest international debt issues to gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.9% in 1993.
- How does South Africa rank for international debt issues to gdp?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 116 countries with data for 2020.
- Is international debt issues to gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 133.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Bank for International Settlements (BIS), published as part of International debt issues to GDP (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total value of outstanding international debt issues both public and private, as a share of GDP. Offshore bank loan data from BIS Statistical Appendix Table 12A (Amount Outstanding): International debt securities - all issuers.