South Africa Short-term Debt
Short-term debt as % of total external debt DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS
South Africa's short-term debt was 28.43% in 2025, ranked 14th globally. This represents a 6.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1994–2025.
Overview
South Africa's short-term debt stood at 28.43% in 2025, a rise of +1.81% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.43% by 2025. South Africa ranked 14th globally.
South Africa's short-term debt as a percentage of its GDP has experienced fluctuations over the past three decades. The country's all-time peak of 43.99% in 1998, during the post-apartheid era, was a concern for policymakers. Conversely, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in short-term debt, with South Africa's debt-to-GDP ratio plummeting to 21.14% in 2020. However, the ratio has since increased, with South Africa's short-term debt standing at 28.43% of its GDP in 2025. This 14th global ranking is comparable to that of North Macedonia, which reported a short-term debt ratio of 27.09% in 2025. The trajectory of South Africa's short-term debt has been influenced by economic reforms and external factors, such as global market conditions. A sustained improvement in the country's economic growth rate and a reduction in its budget deficit could potentially alter the trajectory of its short-term debt ratio in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Short-term Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 31.44% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 29.93% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 28.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.43% | +1.81% | #14 |
| 2024 | 26.62% | +1.17% | #103 |
| 2023 | 25.46% | +0.45% | #105 |
| 2022 | 25.01% | +3.59% | #106 |
| 2021 | 21.42% | +0.28% | #103 |
| 2020 | 21.14% | −2.19% | #103 |
| 2019 | 23.33% | −3.24% | #102 |
| 2018 | 26.56% | +3.20% | #109 |
| 2017 | 23.36% | −2.46% | #102 |
| 2016 | 25.82% | −3.16% | #108 |
| 2015 | 28.98% | +0.55% | #107 |
| 2014 | 28.43% | +2.84% | #103 |
| 2013 | 25.59% | +0.93% | #102 |
| 2012 | 24.65% | +1.04% | #100 |
| 2011 | 23.62% | −4.19% | #99 |
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 short-term debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
South Africa's short-term debt was 28.43% in 2025. Ranked 14th globally. This represents a 6.8% increase from the previous year.
South Africa's short-term debt peaked at 43.99% in 1998.
The lowest short-term debt in South Africa was 21.14% in 2020.
South Africa ranks 14th globally in short-term debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
South Africa's short-term debt is projected to reach 28.43% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The short-term debt of South Africa in 2025 was 28.43%. This ranks 14th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_south-africa_short-term-debt,
title = {South Africa Short-term Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/south-africa/short-term-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}