Total reserves in months of imports in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Total reserves in months of imports was 7.16 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in months of imports in Africa Western and Central, 1977–2025
Source: International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Analysis
Africa Western and Central recorded 7.16 for total reserves in months of imports in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 13.9% on the previous year and up 81.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in months of imports in Africa Western and Central peaked at 17.43 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 1.69, in 1982.
Africa Western and Central ranks 21st of 47 groups 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.
Total reserves in months of imports in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 3.58 | — |
| 1978 | 1.92 | -46.4% |
| 1979 | 4.68 | +143.5% |
| 1980 | 5.49 | +17.2% |
| 1981 | 2 | -63.5% |
| 1982 | 1.69 | -15.5% |
| 1983 | 1.85 | +9.2% |
| 1984 | 2.5 | +35.5% |
| 1985 | 2.92 | +16.7% |
| 1986 | 3.94 | +34.9% |
| 1987 | 2.49 | -36.8% |
| 1988 | 1.98 | -20.6% |
| 1989 | 3.19 | +61.4% |
| 1990 | 4.49 | +40.6% |
| 1991 | 4.03 | -10.1% |
| 1992 | 1.79 | -55.6% |
| 1993 | 2.02 | +12.9% |
| 1994 | 2.66 | +31.5% |
| 1995 | 3.75 | +41.0% |
| 1996 | 9.19 | +145.2% |
| 1997 | 15.04 | +63.7% |
| 1998 | 17.43 | +15.9% |
| 1999 | 4.16 | -76.2% |
| 2000 | 7.18 | +72.7% |
| 2001 | 6.32 | -12.0% |
| 2002 | 4.33 | -31.4% |
| 2003 | 3.41 | -21.3% |
| 2004 | 7.72 | +126.3% |
| 2005 | 8.62 | +11.5% |
| 2006 | 10.97 | +27.3% |
| 2007 | 9.23 | -15.9% |
| 2008 | 7.27 | -21.3% |
| 2009 | 7.24 | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 4.63 | -36.0% |
| 2011 | 3.93 | -15.2% |
| 2012 | 5.05 | +28.5% |
| 2013 | 4.97 | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 4.04 | -18.8% |
| 2015 | 3.94 | -2.5% |
| 2016 | 5.29 | +34.5% |
| 2017 | 6.92 | +30.8% |
| 2018 | 5.52 | -20.2% |
| 2019 | 3.99 | -27.8% |
| 2020 | 5.33 | +33.5% |
| 2021 | 5.81 | +9.1% |
| 2022 | 4.6 | -20.8% |
| 2023 | 4.68 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 6.28 | +34.3% |
| 2025 | 7.16 | +13.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3.4 | 1.92 | 4.68 | 3 |
| 1980s | 2.8 | 1.69 | 5.49 | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.46 | 1.79 | 17.43 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.23 | 3.41 | 10.97 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.83 | 3.93 | 6.92 | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.64 | 4.6 | 7.16 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
- 18 Uzbekistan 10.28 compare
- 19 Central African Republic 9.63 compare
- 20 Macau, China 9 compare
- 21 Solomon Islands 8.9 compare
- 22 Cape Verde 8.69 compare
- 23 Uruguay 8.67 compare
- 24 Brazil 8.42 compare
More financial sector data for Africa Western and Central
- Net migration -338,771 (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 15.1% (2023)
- Broad money 28.7% (2023)
- Claims on central government, etc. 10.2% (2022)
- Domestic credit to private sector 12.6% (2022)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, annual growth rate 13.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 12.6% (2022)
- Net migration, annual growth rate -103.45 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in months of imports in Africa Western and Central?
- Total reserves in months of imports in Africa Western and Central was 7.16 in 2025, according to International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest total reserves in months of imports recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 17.43 in 1998.
- What is the lowest total reserves in months of imports recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.69 in 1982.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for total reserves in months of imports?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 21st out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is total reserves in months of imports rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 81.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Total reserves in months of imports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This item is expressed in terms of the number of months of imports of goods and services they could pay for [X/(Imports/12)].