South Africa Interest Rate Spread
Interest rate spread (lending rate minus deposit rate) FR.INR.LNDP
South Africa's interest rate spread was 4.68% in 2025, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 26.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2001–2025.
Overview
South Africa's interest rate spread stood at 4.68% in 2025, a rise of +0.97pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.68% by 2025. South Africa ranked 56th globally.
South Africa's interest rate spread has exhibited significant volatility over the past quarter century, with a marked decline in recent years. At 4.68% in 2025, the country's interest rate spread ranks 56th globally, a considerable improvement from its all-time peak of 5.20% in 2003. Conversely, 2020 saw the lowest interest rate spread at 2.83%, a testament to the country's efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest rate spread in South Africa is comparable to that of peer countries such as Albania, which ranked 4.48% in 2025. The Dominican Republic, with an interest rate spread of 4.80% in 2025, presents a marginally higher benchmark. As South Africa continues to navigate a complex economic landscape, a potential shift in monetary policy could alter the trajectory of its interest rate spread, potentially leading to a stabilization or increase in the spread if the central bank responds to inflationary pressures or economic growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Rate Spread | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 5.35% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 5.02% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.68% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.68% | +0.97pp | #56 |
| 2024 | 3.71% | −1.14pp | #22 |
| 2023 | 4.85% | +1.12pp | #34 |
| 2022 | 3.73% | +0.50pp | #23 |
| 2021 | 3.23% | +0.40pp | #23 |
| 2020 | 2.83% | −0.29pp | #18 |
| 2019 | 3.12% | +0.03pp | #27 |
| 2018 | 3.08% | −0.04pp | #25 |
| 2017 | 3.13% | −0.16pp | #32 |
| 2016 | 3.29% | +0.02pp | #33 |
| 2015 | 3.26% | −0.06pp | #34 |
| 2014 | 3.32% | −0.02pp | #32 |
| 2013 | 3.35% | +0.03pp | #36 |
| 2012 | 3.31% | −0.01pp | #30 |
| 2011 | 3.33% | −0.04pp | #28 |
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 interest rate spread improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
South Africa's interest rate spread was 4.68% in 2025. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 26.3% increase from the previous year.
South Africa's interest rate spread peaked at 5.20% in 2003.
The lowest interest rate spread in South Africa was 2.83% in 2020.
South Africa ranks 56th globally in interest rate spread as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FR.INR.LNDP. Data sourced from World Bank.
South Africa's interest rate spread is projected to reach 4.68% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest rate spread of South Africa in 2025 was 4.68%. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_south-africa_interest-rate-spread,
title = {South Africa Interest Rate Spread},
url = {https://historysaid.com/south-africa/interest-rate-spread/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}