South Africa Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
South Africa's interest payments to revenue was 18.85% in 2025, ranked 16th globally. This represents a 9.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
South Africa's interest payments to revenue stood at 18.85% in 2025, a rise of +1.56pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 18.85% by 2025. South Africa ranked 16th globally.
South Africa's interest payments to revenue stood at 18.85% in 2025, ranking 16th globally. This is significantly higher than its all-time trough of 5.76% in 1975, but lower than its peak of 21.66% in 1997. Compared to its peers, South Africa's ratio is higher than the Philippines' 18.24%, but lower than Jordan's 19.53%. The country's interest payments to revenue have fluctuated over the 53-year coverage period, influenced by various economic factors. The latest value indicates a continued significant burden of interest payments on the government's revenue. As the country navigates its economic challenges, a change in the trajectory of this indicator would likely require a combination of fiscal discipline and economic growth, which could potentially alter the trend of interest payments to revenue in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 19.72% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 18.85% | - | - |
| 2025 | 18.85% | +1.56pp | #16 |
| 2023 | 17.29% | +1.25pp | #85 |
| 2022 | 16.04% | +1.17pp | #99 |
| 2021 | 14.88% | −0.65pp | #106 |
| 2020 | 15.53% | +2.31pp | #115 |
| 2019 | 13.23% | +0.59pp | #115 |
| 2018 | 12.64% | +0.51pp | #109 |
| 2017 | 12.12% | +0.83pp | #115 |
| 2016 | 11.29% | +0.98pp | #110 |
| 2015 | 10.31% | +0.20pp | #109 |
| 2014 | 10.12% | +0.18pp | #106 |
| 2013 | 9.94% | +0.00pp | #101 |
| 2012 | 9.94% | +0.51pp | #102 |
| 2011 | 9.42% | +0.56pp | #94 |
| 2010 | 8.86% | +0.40pp | #88 |
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 payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
South Africa's interest payments to revenue was 18.85% in 2025. Ranked 16th globally. This represents a 9.0% increase from the previous year.
South Africa's interest payments to revenue peaked at 21.66% in 1997.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in South Africa was 5.76% in 1975.
South Africa ranks 16th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
South Africa's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 18.85% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of South Africa in 2025 was 18.85%. This ranks 16th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_south-africa_interest-to-revenue,
title = {South Africa Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/south-africa/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}