Private Sector Credit Statistics in South Africa (2026)
As of 2024, domestic credit to the private sector in South Africa was 89.4% of GDP, per World Bank World Development Indicators data. Down from 89.7% of GDP in 2023 to 89.4% of GDP in 2024 (−0.3 percentage points). South Africa ranks #1 of 35 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #26 of 160 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 89.4% of GDP (2024)
- Private Sector Credit in South Africa as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- −0.3 pp (2024)
- Down from 89.7% of GDP in 2023 to 89.4% of GDP in 2024 (−0.3 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 71.9% of GDP (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 71.9% of GDP in 1990 to 89.4% of GDP in 2024.
- Peak value (2007)
- 142.4% of GDP (2007)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 89.4% of GDP.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #1 of 35 (2024)
- South Africa ranks 1 of 35 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #26 of 160 (2024)
- South Africa ranks 26 of 160 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 20.8% of GDP (2024)
- South Africa (89.4% of GDP) is above the average of 20.8% of GDP across the 35 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks (% of GDP) (2024)
- 57.5% (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Outstanding loans from commercial banks, percent of GDP (2024)
- 53.9% (2024)
- Related indicator from IMF Financial Access Survey (alternative source for cross-checking; not merged with the main series).
- 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, 1990–2024
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 89.4% | −0.3 pp |
| 2023 | 89.7% | −1.9 pp |
| 2022 | 91.6% | −1.6 pp |
| 2021 | 93.2% | −15.9 pp |
| 2020 | 109.1% | −8.1 pp |
| 2019 | 117.2% | −1.2 pp |
| 2018 | 118.4% | −8.6 pp |
| 2017 | 127% | +2.7 pp |
| 2016 | 124.4% | −2.8 pp |
| 2015 | 127.2% | −1.6 pp |
| 2014 | 128.8% | +1.8 pp |
| 2013 | 127% | +1.9 pp |
| 2012 | 125.2% | +6.2 pp |
| 2011 | 119% | −5.1 pp |
| 2010 | 124.1% | +3.0 pp |
| 2009 | 121.1% | −4.9 pp |
| 2008 | 126% | −16.5 pp |
| 2007 | 142.4% | +3.4 pp |
| 2006 | 139% | +16.7 pp |
| 2005 | 122.3% | +9.5 pp |
| 2004 | 112.8% | +10.1 pp |
| 2003 | 102.8% | +5.5 pp |
| 2002 | 97.3% | −23.8 pp |
| 2001 | 121.1% | +4.0 pp |
| 2000 | 117.1% | −1.1 pp |
| 1999 | 118.2% | +14.5 pp |
| 1998 | 103.7% | +1.4 pp |
| 1997 | 102.4% | −3.2 pp |
| 1996 | 105.5% | +0.5 pp |
| 1995 | 105% | +3.9 pp |
| 1994 | 101.1% | +5.2 pp |
| 1993 | 95.8% | +4.8 pp |
| 1992 | 91% | +19.0 pp |
| 1990 | 71.9% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest figure for domestic credit to the private sector in South Africa?
Domestic credit to the private sector in South Africa stood at 89.4% of GDP in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How has private sector credit in South Africa changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 71.9% of GDP in 1990 to 89.4% of GDP in 2024.
How does South Africa compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
South Africa ranks 1 of 35 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 89.4% of GDP versus a regional average of 20.8% of GDP (latest values per country).
Where does South Africa rank globally on private sector credit?
South Africa ranks 26 of 160 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
FS.AST.PRVT.GD.ZS, 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 .