Debt service on external debt, total in South Africa
South Africa: Debt service on external debt, total was 22.56 billion TDS, current US$ in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Debt service on external debt, total in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in TDS, current US$.
Analysis
In 2024, debt service on external debt, total in South Africa stood at 22.56 billion TDS, current US$.
That represents a change of down 1.4% on the previous year and up 123.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, debt service on external debt, total in South Africa peaked at 29.02 billion TDS, current US$ in 2018 and was at its lowest, 2.90 billion TDS, current US$, in 1994.
South Africa ranks 13th of 121 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4.32 billion TDS, current US$ | 2.90 billion TDS, current US$ | 6.54 billion TDS, current US$ | 6 |
| 2000s | 5.19 billion TDS, current US$ | 4.02 billion TDS, current US$ | 7.67 billion TDS, current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.44 billion TDS, current US$ | 6.66 billion TDS, current US$ | 29.02 billion TDS, current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.51 billion TDS, current US$ | 22.56 billion TDS, current US$ | 27.82 billion TDS, current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 10 Colombia 33.84 billion TDS, current US$ compare
- 11 Viet Nam 33.59 billion TDS, current US$ compare
- 12 Egypt 32.91 billion TDS, current US$ compare
- 14 Philippines 18.00 billion TDS, current US$ compare
- 15 Thailand 17.99 billion TDS, current US$ compare
- 16 Pakistan 16.31 billion TDS, current US$ compare
More external debt data for South Africa
- IFC, private nonguaranteed -15.41 million NFL, US$ (2024)
- IFC, private nonguaranteed (NFL, US$), per capita -0.2407 NFL, US$ per person (2024)
- IFC, private nonguaranteed (NFL, US$), per unit of GDP -0 NFL, US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- IFC, private nonguaranteed (NFL, US$), per square kilometre 444.22 NFL, US$ per square kilometre (2023)
- Public and publicly guaranteed debt service 2.3% (2024)
- Net financial flows, IBRD 910.75 million NFL, current US$ (2024)
- Public and publicly guaranteed debt service 6.5% (2024)
- Net financial flows, IBRD (NFL, current US$), annual growth rate -109.7 % change on previous year (2023)
- Other investment, Debt instruments 53.54 billion US dollar (2025)
- Use of IMF credit 7.63 billion DOD, current US$ (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is debt service on external debt, total in South Africa?
- Debt service on external debt, total in South Africa was 22.56 billion TDS, current US$ in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest debt service on external debt, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 29.02 billion TDS, current US$ in 2018.
- What is the lowest debt service on external debt, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.90 billion TDS, current US$ in 1994.
- How does South Africa rank for debt service on external debt, total?
- South Africa ranks 13th out of 121 countries with data for 2024.
- Is debt service on external debt, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 123.1%. 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 Debt service on external debt, total (TDS, current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total debt service is the sum of principal repayments and interest actually paid in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt, interest paid on short-term debt, and repayments (repurchases and charges) to the IMF. Data are in current U.S. dollars.