External debt stocks, total in South Africa
South Africa: External debt stocks, total was 175.90 billion DOD, current US$ in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External debt stocks, total in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in DOD, current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external debt stocks, total in South Africa is 175.90 billion DOD, current US$, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.1% on the previous year and up 17.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external debt stocks, total in South Africa peaked at 190.75 billion DOD, current US$ in 2019 and was at its lowest, 21.67 billion DOD, current US$, in 1994.
South Africa ranks 12th of 121 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 25.91 billion DOD, current US$ | 21.67 billion DOD, current US$ | 30.63 billion DOD, current US$ | 6 |
| 2000s | 50.61 billion DOD, current US$ | 25.68 billion DOD, current US$ | 84.38 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 149.62 billion DOD, current US$ | 115.33 billion DOD, current US$ | 190.75 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 171.67 billion DOD, current US$ | 165.84 billion DOD, current US$ | 175.90 billion DOD, current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 9 Colombia 201.76 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 10 Ukraine 193.49 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 11 Thailand 191.83 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 13 Kazakhstan 167.53 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 14 Egypt 155.97 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 15 Philippines 137.02 billion DOD, current US$ compare
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- DEC alternative conversion factor 17.89 LCU per US$ (2025)
- Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) -34.59 billion current LCU (2025)
- Net secondary income (Net current transfers from abroad) -1.93 billion current US$ (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products 765.44 billion current LCU (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products 42.79 billion current US$ (2025)
- Net primary income (Net income from abroad) -146.54 billion current LCU (2025)
- Net primary income (Net income from abroad) -8.19 billion current US$ (2025)
- GNI per capita 115,762 current LCU (2025)
- GNI per capita, Atlas method 6,270 current US$ (2025)
- GNI 7.50 trillion current LCU (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external debt stocks, total in South Africa?
- External debt stocks, total in South Africa was 175.90 billion DOD, current US$ in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest external debt stocks, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 190.75 billion DOD, current US$ in 2019.
- What is the lowest external debt stocks, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.67 billion DOD, current US$ in 1994.
- How does South Africa rank for external debt stocks, total?
- South Africa ranks 12th out of 121 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external debt stocks, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of External debt stocks, total (DOD, current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Data are in current U.S. dollars.