South Africa Government gross debt in South Africa

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 78.9% 2027: 79.7% 2028: 80.9% 2029: 81.7% 2030: 82.2% 2031: 82.6%
82.6 (2031) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV
Period% of GDP
Jan 2031 82.6
Jan 2030 82.2
Jan 2029 81.7
Jan 2028 80.9
Jan 2027 79.7
Jan 2026 78.9
Jan 2025 78.6
Jan 2024 76.0
Jan 2023 73.2
Jan 2022 70.7
Jan 2021 68.8
Jan 2020 68.9
Jan 2019 56.1
Jan 2018 51.5
Jan 2017 48.6
Jan 2016 47.1
Jan 2015 45.2
Jan 2014 43.3
Jan 2013 40.4
Jan 2012 37.4
Jan 2011 34.7
Jan 2010 31.2
Jan 2009 27.0
Jan 2008 24.0
Jan 2007 24.3
Jan 2006 28.0
Jan 2005 29.6
Jan 2004 30.7
Jan 2003 31.5
Jan 2002 31.8
Jan 2001 38.0
Jan 2000 37.9

About this indicator

Source
International Monetary Fund
Frequency
Annual
Release
Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.
What it is
Measures the total gross debt owed by South Africa's general government to its domestic and foreign creditors. It is reported in absolute terms and, above all, as a percentage of GDP to gauge the sustainability of the public finances.
How it's calculated
Sums the liabilities of the general government sector (debt securities, loans and deposits), consolidated across subsectors. The debt-to-GDP ratio relates that stock to the size of the economy, with comparable figures drawn from the IMF's annual estimates.
Market implications
High or rising debt raises the Treasury's borrowing costs, pushes up the risk premium and constrains fiscal policy. It is a central variable for bond investors and for the agencies rating South African sovereign debt.
Limitations
It is a low-frequency figure revised with the national accounts. The ratio depends on both the debt stock and nominal GDP, so it can shift on growth or inflation without any change in borrowing, while foreign-currency debt adds sensitivity to the rand.