Nigeria vs South Africa: Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and)

Nigeria
16.85
in 2027
South Africa
19.64
in 2027
Nigeria rank
38th
South Africa rank
35th

Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) over time

  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
0102030200020132027

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 19.64 against 16.85 in Nigeria, a difference of 2.79.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Nigeria's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 28 shared years of data; in 2000 it was Nigeria ahead.

Nigeria ranks 38th and South Africa ranks 35th of 45 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Nigeria averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Nigeria South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 14.96 7.58 7.39 Nigeria
2010s 2.53 14.32 11.79 South Africa
2020s 12.37 19.9 7.52 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and), Nigeria or South Africa?
South Africa, at 19.64 against 16.85 in Nigeria as of 2027.
What is the difference in gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) between Nigeria and South Africa?
2.79, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Nigeria and South Africa?
28 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2027.
How do Nigeria and South Africa rank globally for gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and)?
Nigeria ranks 38th and South Africa ranks 35th of 45 countries.
Where does this data come from?
International Monetary Fund, published as Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Nigeria vs South Africa: Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and). Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://debt.statizoid.com/compare/gross-external-debt-percent-of-gdp-balance-of-payments-and-international-investment/nigeria/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6))
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
64 places, 1,765 data points, 2000–2027
Last refreshed

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.