Public debt per capita in South Africa
In 2025, public debt per capita in South Africa was 12,839 $, up from 12,075 $ in 2024. This gives South Africa the 5th-highest among BRICS+ countries, the 15th-highest among G20 countries, and the 83rd-highest globally (out of 191 economies with available data).
Public debt per capita
Gross debt of the general government, in current international dollars
South Africa
How South Africa compares
About this indicator
This indicator measures general government gross debt per capita, expressed in current international dollars. Debt includes liabilities that require payment of interest and/or principal in the future. It follows the IMF World Economic Outlook definition of government debt, under the IMF Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM) framework. Debt is gross, that is, it is not net of government financial assets.
This metric shows the total stock of these consolidated gross liabilities divided by the country's total population, giving a clear sense of how much public debt corresponds to each resident on average. Amounts are gross, meaning government financial assets are not subtracted from the total.
Values are converted using purchasing power parity (PPP) so that cross-country comparisons accurately reflect differences in local price levels and cost of living rather than market exchange rate fluctuations.
This metric shows the total stock of these consolidated gross liabilities divided by the country's total population, giving a clear sense of how much public debt corresponds to each resident on average. Amounts are gross, meaning government financial assets are not subtracted from the total.
Values are converted using purchasing power parity (PPP) so that cross-country comparisons accurately reflect differences in local price levels and cost of living rather than market exchange rate fluctuations.
Sources and updates
Data sources
The data for this indicator are drawn from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Last update
This indicator was last updated on Econorama on 18 June 2026 and reflects the latest data available from the underlying sources at that time.
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Economic activity
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Share of youth aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET rate)
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Primary to tertiary spending per student, in constant international dollars
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