South Africa External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
South Africa's external debt was $170.9B in 2025, ranked 13th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1994–2025.
Overview
South Africa's external debt stood at $170.9B in 2025, a decline of +$5.0B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $170.9B by 2025. South Africa ranked 13th globally.
South Africa's external debt has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three decades, with the all-time peak of 190,747,897,765.00 in 2019 and the all-time trough of 21,670,999,666.00 in 1994, a year marking the country's transition to democracy. The latest available data indicates that South Africa's external debt has grown to 170,866,738,406.74, ranking it the 13th globally. This trajectory is comparable to that of its peer, Egypt, Arab Republic of, which holds the 12th spot with a slightly higher external debt of 173,876,261,535.59. The decline in external debt since 2019 may be attributed to the country's efforts to implement fiscal discipline and revamp its economic policies. Nevertheless, the country's external debt remains a concern, and any significant shift in global commodity prices or changes in investor confidence could impact the trajectory of South Africa's external debt. A further decline in global interest rates could also alter the country's debt dynamics.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $170.3B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $170.6B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $170.9B | - | - |
| 2025 | $170.9B | −$5.0B | #13 |
| 2024 | $175.9B | +$10.1B | #107 |
| 2023 | $165.8B | −$5.9B | #106 |
| 2022 | $171.7B | +$2.3B | #110 |
| 2021 | $169.4B | −$6.0B | #109 |
| 2020 | $175.4B | −$15.3B | #111 |
| 2019 | $190.7B | +$10.6B | #112 |
| 2018 | $180.2B | +$5.2B | #112 |
| 2017 | $175.0B | +$31.0B | #112 |
| 2016 | $144.1B | +$16.3B | #111 |
| 2015 | $127.8B | −$21.6B | #111 |
| 2014 | $149.3B | +$7.7B | #109 |
| 2013 | $141.7B | −$6.3B | #107 |
| 2012 | $148.0B | +$23.8B | #110 |
| 2011 | $124.1B | +$8.8B | #107 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
South Africa matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1994. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
South Africa's external debt was $170.9B in 2025. Ranked 13th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year.
South Africa's external debt peaked at $190.7B in 2019.
The lowest external debt in South Africa was $21.7B in 1994.
South Africa ranks 13th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
South Africa's external debt is projected to reach $170.9B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
South Africa's external debt was approximately 170.87 billion ($170.9B) in 2025.
The external debt of South Africa in 2025 was $170.9B. This ranks 13th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_south-africa_external-debt,
title = {South Africa External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/south-africa/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}