Total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Total reserves was 26.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa is 26.4%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 5.5% on the previous year and down 30.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 64.9% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 6.0%, in 1988.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 33rd of 40 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 24.1% | — |
| 1972 | 23.0% | -4.8% |
| 1973 | 25.9% | +12.9% |
| 1974 | 58.7% | +126.3% |
| 1975 | 47.4% | -19.2% |
| 1976 | 39.9% | -15.8% |
| 1977 | 27.3% | -31.7% |
| 1978 | 14.4% | -47.3% |
| 1979 | 25.6% | +78.2% |
| 1980 | 31.4% | +22.6% |
| 1981 | 13.9% | -55.7% |
| 1982 | 8.4% | -39.8% |
| 1983 | 6.5% | -22.6% |
| 1984 | 6.6% | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 6.9% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | 6.5% | -5.3% |
| 1987 | 6.1% | -6.1% |
| 1988 | 6.0% | -2.3% |
| 1989 | 7.1% | +18.3% |
| 1990 | 8.8% | +24.1% |
| 1991 | 9.4% | +6.9% |
| 1992 | 7.1% | -23.9% |
| 1993 | 7.6% | +6.8% |
| 1994 | 8.9% | +17.1% |
| 1995 | 9.3% | +4.4% |
| 1996 | 10.7% | +15.0% |
| 1997 | 14.4% | +34.8% |
| 1998 | 13.3% | -8.0% |
| 1999 | 14.9% | +11.9% |
| 2000 | 18.1% | +21.8% |
| 2001 | 18.6% | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 16.3% | -12.3% |
| 2003 | 15.9% | -2.2% |
| 2004 | 24.1% | +51.0% |
| 2005 | 35.4% | +47.2% |
| 2006 | 57.6% | +62.6% |
| 2007 | 62.8% | +9.0% |
| 2008 | 64.9% | +3.4% |
| 2009 | 57.2% | -11.9% |
| 2010 | 48.9% | -14.5% |
| 2011 | 48.3% | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 47.5% | -1.6% |
| 2013 | 43.6% | -8.4% |
| 2014 | 37.8% | -13.2% |
| 2015 | 33.8% | -10.6% |
| 2016 | 29.8% | -11.9% |
| 2017 | 28.4% | -4.7% |
| 2018 | 28.1% | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 27.1% | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 25.5% | -5.8% |
| 2021 | 27.2% | +6.8% |
| 2022 | 25.2% | -7.3% |
| 2023 | 25.0% | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 26.4% | +5.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 31.8% | 14.4% | 58.7% | 9 |
| 1980s | 9.9% | 6.0% | 31.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.4% | 7.1% | 14.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 37.1% | 15.9% | 64.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.3% | 27.1% | 48.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.9% | 25.0% | 27.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 30 Honduras 56.2% compare
- 31 Turkmenistan 55.4% compare
- 32 Morocco 54.6% compare
- 33 Brazil 54.5% compare
- 34 Republic of Moldova 52.3% compare
- 35 Tajikistan 52.0% compare
- 36 Lebanon 49.4% compare
More financial sector data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Total reserves in months of imports, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, annual growth rate 20.18 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, per capita 1.28 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0008 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0.1205 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 1.75 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.14 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 1.28 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Total reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa was 26.4% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 64.9% in 2008.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.0% in 1988.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for total reserves?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 33rd out of 40 groups with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa 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.