South Africa Government Debt to GDP
78.6%▲ +2.68 pt
Dec 2025 · Annual
South Africa's government debt to GDP ratio rose to 78.64% in 2025, up from 75.96% in the previous year. The reading marked the highest level on record since the series began in 2000. The previous all-time low was 24.04% in 2008.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78.6% | 76.0% | 78.6%Dec 2025 | 24.0%Dec 2008 | 2000 – 2025 | Annual |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Budget | -5.8% | -5.7% | 1.2% | -9.6% | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| Interest Rate | 7.0% | 7.0% | 21.9% | 3.5% | Jul 2026 | Monthly |
About this series
Government Debt to GDP in South Africa averaged 45.2% from 2000 until 2025, reaching an all-time high of 78.6% in Dec 2025 and a record low of 24.0% in Dec 2008. The series is reported yearly with history from 2000.
Government debt as a percentage of GDP measures the total public debt of South Africa relative to its gross domestic product. The data are reported annually, expressed as a percentage of GDP. The series covers observations from 2000 to the present.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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