External borrowing, net in South Africa
South Africa: External borrowing, net was 111.84 billion current LCU in 2008. ◆ Volatile
External borrowing, net in South Africa, 1968–2008
Source: World Bank country economists. Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external borrowing, net in South Africa is 111.84 billion current LCU, measured in 2008.
That represents a change of down 10.0% on the previous year and up 10,601.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external borrowing, net in South Africa peaked at 139.15 billion current LCU in 2005 and was at its lowest, -4.75 billion current LCU, in 2002.
That places South Africa 13th out of 50 countries with data for 2008, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External borrowing, net in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | -63.75 million current LCU | — |
| 1969 | 33.25 million current LCU | -152.2% |
| 1970 | 186.50 million current LCU | +460.9% |
| 1971 | 37.50 million current LCU | -79.9% |
| 1972 | -113.25 million current LCU | -402.0% |
| 1973 | -134.00 million current LCU | +18.3% |
| 1974 | 31.75 million current LCU | -123.7% |
| 1975 | -57.25 million current LCU | -280.3% |
| 1976 | 179.25 million current LCU | -413.1% |
| 1977 | 152.50 million current LCU | -14.9% |
| 1978 | 112.00 million current LCU | -26.6% |
| 1979 | 159.25 million current LCU | +42.2% |
| 1980 | -275.00 million current LCU | -272.7% |
| 1981 | -91.25 million current LCU | -66.8% |
| 1982 | -37.75 million current LCU | -58.6% |
| 1983 | -228.75 million current LCU | +506.0% |
| 1984 | -121.00 million current LCU | -47.1% |
| 1985 | -152.25 million current LCU | +25.8% |
| 1986 | 571.25 million current LCU | -475.2% |
| 1987 | 812.25 million current LCU | +42.2% |
| 1988 | -37.00 million current LCU | -104.6% |
| 1989 | 1.87 billion current LCU | -5162.8% |
| 1990 | 1.96 billion current LCU | +4.6% |
| 1991 | 1.39 billion current LCU | -28.8% |
| 1992 | 3.18 billion current LCU | +128.1% |
| 1993 | 280.75 million current LCU | -91.2% |
| 1994 | 6.22 billion current LCU | +2114.1% |
| 1995 | 3.56 billion current LCU | -42.8% |
| 1996 | 25.32 billion current LCU | +612.3% |
| 1997 | 19.02 billion current LCU | -24.9% |
| 1998 | 1.05 billion current LCU | -94.5% |
| 1999 | 4.54 billion current LCU | +334.2% |
| 2000 | 518.00 million current LCU | -88.6% |
| 2001 | 181.50 million current LCU | -65.0% |
| 2002 | -4.75 billion current LCU | -2714.5% |
| 2003 | -3.95 billion current LCU | -16.7% |
| 2004 | 23.26 billion current LCU | -688.1% |
| 2005 | 139.15 billion current LCU | +498.3% |
| 2006 | 135.37 billion current LCU | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 124.24 billion current LCU | -8.2% |
| 2008 | 111.84 billion current LCU | -10.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 111.84 billion current LCU is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.82 billion current LCU, 19.2× the median. (7 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 111.84 billion current LCU is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.40 billion current LCU, 11.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where External borrowing, net in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | +5162.8% | -37.00 million current LCU | 1.87 billion current LCU |
| 2002 | -2714.5% | 181.50 million current LCU | -4.75 billion current LCU |
| 1994 | +2114.1% | 280.75 million current LCU | 6.22 billion current LCU |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -15.25 million current LCU | -63.75 million current LCU | 33.25 million current LCU | 2 |
| 1970s | 55.42 million current LCU | -134.00 million current LCU | 186.50 million current LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 231.38 million current LCU | -275.00 million current LCU | 1.87 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.65 billion current LCU | 280.75 million current LCU | 25.32 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 58.43 billion current LCU | -4.75 billion current LCU | 139.15 billion current LCU | 9 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More science & technology data for South Africa
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 179.34 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.79 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 114.79 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 89.37 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 4.56 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.88 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 14,949 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0002 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external borrowing, net in South Africa?
- External borrowing, net in South Africa was 111.84 billion current LCU in 2008, according to World Bank country economists.
- What is the highest external borrowing, net recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 139.15 billion current LCU in 2005.
- What is the lowest external borrowing, net recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -4.75 billion current LCU in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for external borrowing, net?
- South Africa ranks 13th out of 50 countries with data for 2008.
- Is external borrowing, net rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10,601.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank country economists, published as part of External borrowing, net (current LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Financing from abroad (obtained from nonresidents) refer to the means by which a government provides financial resources to cover a budget deficit or allocates financial resources arising from a budget surplus. It includes all government liabilities--other. Data are in current local currency.