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. Explore the historical series and compare South Africa with other economies below.
Public debt per capita
Gross debt of the general government, in current international dollars
South Africa
| Year | $ |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 839 |
| 2024 | 12 075 |
| 2023 | 11 434 |
| 2022 | 10 687 |
| 2021 | 9 614 |
| 2020 | 8 861 |
| 2019 | 7 585 |
| 2018 | 6 947 |
| 2017 | 6 725 |
| 2016 | 6 422 |
| 2015 | 6 143 |
| 2014 | 5 837 |
| 2013 | 5 364 |
| 2012 | 4 845 |
| 2011 | 4 383 |
| 2010 | 3 793 |
| 2009 | 3 193 |
| 2008 | 2 912 |
| 2007 | 2 840 |
| 2006 | 3 070 |
| 2005 | 3 018 |
| 2004 | 2 916 |
| 2003 | 2 814 |
| 2002 | 2 730 |
| 2001 | 3 159 |
| 2000 | 3 054 |
How South Africa compares
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Public debt per capita
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.