Account Ownership Statistics in South Africa (2026)
In 2024, 81.1% of adults in South Africa had an account at a financial institution or mobile money provider, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Down from 85.4% in 2021 to 81.1% in 2024 (−4.3 percentage points). South Africa ranks #4 of 36 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #60 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 81.1% (2024)
- Account Ownership in South Africa as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −4.3 pp (2024)
- Down from 85.4% in 2021 to 81.1% in 2024 (−4.3 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 53.6% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 53.6% in 2011 to 81.1% in 2024.
- Peak value (2021)
- 85.4% (2021)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 81.1%.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #4 of 36 (2024)
- South Africa ranks 4 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #60 of 145 (2024)
- South Africa ranks 60 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 54.2% (2024)
- South Africa (81.1%) is above the average of 54.2% across the 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 81% (2024)
- Value for women in South Africa, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 81.3% (2024)
- Value for men in South Africa, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −0.3 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 81% for women and 81.3% for men — 0.3 percentage points lower among women.
- In rural areas (2024)
- 77.7% (2024)
- Value for rural residents of South Africa in 2024.
- Rural gap vs national
- −3.4 pp (2024)
- Rural residents (77.7%) are 3.4 percentage points below the national figure (81.1%).
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 74.2% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in South Africa in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −6.9 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (74.2%) are 6.9 percentage points below the national figure (81.1%).
- Internet use in South Africa (2024)
- 78.4% (2024)
- 78.4% of the population in South Africa used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 64 million (2024)
- South Africa had a population of 64 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 81.1% | −4.3 pp |
| 2021 | 85.4% | +16.2 pp |
| 2017 | 69.2% | −1.1 pp |
| 2014 | 70.3% | +16.7 pp |
| 2011 | 53.6% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in South Africa had an account at a financial institution or mobile money provider?
81.1% of adults in South Africa had an account at a financial institution or mobile money provider in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How does South Africa compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
South Africa ranks 4 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 81.1% versus a regional average of 54.2% (latest values per country).
Where does South Africa rank globally on account ownership?
South Africa ranks 60 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in account ownership in South Africa?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 81% for women and 81.3% for men, a gap of 0.3 percentage points in favor of men.
When did account ownership in South Africa peak?
The highest value in the available series was 85.4% in 2021; the latest (2024) value is 81.1%.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
account.t.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .