Total reserves in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Total reserves was 33.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Africa Western and Central, 1991–2021
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
Africa Western and Central recorded 33.7% for total reserves in 2021.
That represents a change of up 3.7% on the previous year and down 52.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Africa Western and Central peaked at 122.8% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 4.6%, in 1994.
That places Africa Western and Central 25th out of 40 groups with data for 2021, putting it 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 Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 9.9% | — |
| 1994 | 4.6% | -53.1% |
| 1995 | 4.8% | +3.6% |
| 1996 | 9.1% | +89.9% |
| 1997 | 14.3% | +56.5% |
| 1998 | 12.1% | -15.6% |
| 1999 | 10.1% | -16.0% |
| 2000 | 16.3% | +61.1% |
| 2001 | 16.9% | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 13.0% | -22.7% |
| 2003 | 12.5% | -4.1% |
| 2004 | 23.7% | +89.9% |
| 2005 | 45.4% | +91.6% |
| 2006 | 97.8% | +115.2% |
| 2007 | 112.6% | +15.1% |
| 2008 | 122.8% | +9.1% |
| 2010 | 74.7% | -39.1% |
| 2011 | 70.2% | -6.1% |
| 2012 | 77.9% | +11.0% |
| 2013 | 66.3% | -14.9% |
| 2014 | 52.4% | -20.9% |
| 2015 | 41.6% | -20.6% |
| 2016 | 36.1% | -13.3% |
| 2017 | 40.1% | +11.2% |
| 2018 | 40.5% | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 35.8% | -11.5% |
| 2020 | 32.5% | -9.3% |
| 2021 | 33.7% | +3.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 9.3% | 4.6% | 14.3% | 7 |
| 2000s | 51.2% | 12.5% | 122.8% | 9 |
| 2010s | 53.6% | 35.8% | 77.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.1% | 32.5% | 33.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
- 22 Philippines 77.5% compare
- 23 Myanmar 76.8% compare
- 24 Bosnia and Herzegovina 67.8% compare
- 25 Viet Nam 62.5% compare
- 26 Albania 60.8% compare
- 27 Uzbekistan 58.7% compare
- 28 Serbia 58.6% compare
More financial sector data for Africa Western and Central
- Net migration -338,771 (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 7.16 (2025)
- 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 Africa Western and Central?
- Total reserves in Africa Western and Central was 33.7% in 2021, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 122.8% in 2008.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.6% in 1994.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for total reserves?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 25th out of 40 groups with data for 2021.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is down 52.1%. 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 Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). 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 indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.