Debt in South Africa
South Africa's debt is 82.76 % — #38 of 46 countries on the atlas (lower is better). Period 2024.
82.76 %
Checked 25 Jul 2026
Source: World Bank open data (GDP growth, GDP/capita, unemployment, government debt)
The central government owes about 0.8 years' worth of the country's entire economic output.
Central government debt as a share of GDP (World Bank).
Debt nearby: Brazil 81.86 % · Hungary 81.99 % · Jordan 93.62 % · Spain 105.64 %
How to read this figure
Central government debt as a share of GDP (World Bank). General government debt (including local government and social funds) can be meaningfully higher; comparisons across countries are indicative.