Reserve assets, Currency and deposits in South Africa
South Africa: Reserve assets, Currency and deposits was 51.29 billion US dollar in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Reserve assets, Currency and deposits in South Africa, 1996–2025
Source: International Monetary Fund. Measured in US dollar.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 51.29 billion US dollar for reserve assets, currency and deposits in 2025. That is the highest value across all 30 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.3% on the previous year and up 31.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reserve assets, currency and deposits in South Africa peaked at 51.29 billion US dollar in 2025 and was at its lowest, 938.82 million US dollar, in 1996.
South Africa ranks 6th of 156 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reserve assets, Currency and deposits in South Africa, year by year
| Year | US dollar | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 938.82 million US dollar | — |
| 1997 | 4.79 billion US dollar | +410.0% |
| 1998 | 4.17 billion US dollar | -12.9% |
| 1999 | 6.06 billion US dollar | +45.4% |
| 2000 | 5.79 billion US dollar | -4.5% |
| 2001 | 5.76 billion US dollar | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 5.60 billion US dollar | -2.9% |
| 2003 | 6.16 billion US dollar | +10.0% |
| 2004 | 12.79 billion US dollar | +107.6% |
| 2005 | 18.26 billion US dollar | +42.7% |
| 2006 | 22.72 billion US dollar | +24.4% |
| 2007 | 29.23 billion US dollar | +28.7% |
| 2008 | 30.24 billion US dollar | +3.4% |
| 2009 | 32.43 billion US dollar | +7.3% |
| 2010 | 35.42 billion US dollar | +9.2% |
| 2011 | 39.85 billion US dollar | +12.5% |
| 2012 | 41.18 billion US dollar | +3.4% |
| 2013 | 41.94 billion US dollar | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 41.49 billion US dollar | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 38.94 billion US dollar | -6.2% |
| 2016 | 39.91 billion US dollar | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 42.74 billion US dollar | +7.1% |
| 2018 | 43.54 billion US dollar | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 45.90 billion US dollar | +5.4% |
| 2020 | 44.25 billion US dollar | -3.6% |
| 2021 | 43.12 billion US dollar | -2.6% |
| 2022 | 46.47 billion US dollar | +7.8% |
| 2023 | 47.39 billion US dollar | +2.0% |
| 2024 | 48.25 billion US dollar | +1.8% |
| 2025 | 51.29 billion US dollar | +6.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.99 billion US dollar | 938.82 million US dollar | 6.06 billion US dollar | 4 |
| 2000s | 16.90 billion US dollar | 5.60 billion US dollar | 32.43 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.09 billion US dollar | 35.42 billion US dollar | 45.90 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2020s | 46.80 billion US dollar | 43.12 billion US dollar | 51.29 billion US dollar | 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 reserve assets, currency and deposits in South Africa?
- Reserve assets, currency and deposits in South Africa was 51.29 billion US dollar in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reserve assets, currency and deposits recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 51.29 billion US dollar in 2025.
- What is the lowest reserve assets, currency and deposits recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 938.82 million US dollar in 1996.
- How does South Africa rank for reserve assets, currency and deposits?
- South Africa ranks 6th out of 156 countries with data for 2025.
- Is reserve assets, currency and deposits rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.7%. 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 Reserve assets, Currency and deposits (Assets, Positions, US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The International Investment Position (IIP) is a statistical statement that shows at a point in time the value of financial assets of residents of an economy that are claims on nonresidents or are gold bullion held as reserve assets; and the liabilities of residents of an economy to nonresidents.