Real interest rate in South Africa in 2025 — 7.68%. Ranked 19 in the world out of 67. Since 1961, the indicator has risen by 2.48 pp.
1961–2025 · % per annum
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.68 | +0.27 pp |
| 2024 | 7.42 | +0.95 pp |
| 2023 | 6.47 | +3.1 pp |
| 2022 | 3.37 | +2.78 pp |
| 2021 | 0.6 | −1.6 pp |
| 2020 | 2.2 | −3.07 pp |
| 2019 | 5.27 | −0.59 pp |
| 2018 | 5.86 | +1.21 pp |
| 2017 | 4.65 | +1.37 pp |
| 2016 | 3.28 | −0.39 pp |
| 2015 | 3.67 | +0.1 pp |
| 2014 | 3.57 | +1.06 pp |
| 2013 | 2.51 | −1.37 pp |
| 2012 | 3.88 | +0.6 pp |
| 2011 | 3.28 | −0.21 pp |
| 2010 | 3.49 | +0.69 pp |
| 2009 | 2.8 | −3.94 pp |
| 2008 | 6.75 | +2.2 pp |
| 2007 | 4.55 | −0.26 pp |
| 2006 | 4.81 | +0.05 pp |
| 2005 | 4.76 | −0.19 pp |
| 2004 | 4.95 | −3.1 pp |
| 2003 | 8.05 | +5.19 pp |
| 2002 | 2.85 | −2.68 pp |
| 2001 | 5.54 | +0.67 pp |
| 2000 | 4.87 | −5.52 pp |
| 1999 | 10.4 | −2.3 pp |
| 1998 | 12.69 | +1.72 pp |
| 1997 | 10.97 | +0.33 pp |
| 1996 | 10.64 | +4.28 pp |
| 1995 | 6.37 | +1.11 pp |
| 1994 | 5.26 | +2.79 pp |
| 1993 | 2.46 | −1.19 pp |
| 1992 | 3.65 | −0.37 pp |
| 1991 | 4.03 | −0.78 pp |
| 1990 | 4.81 | +2.46 pp |
| 1989 | 2.35 | +2.43 pp |
| 1988 | -0.08 | +1.97 pp |
| 1987 | -2.04 | −0.05 pp |
| 1986 | -1.99 | −6.6 pp |
| 1985 | 4.61 | −5.45 pp |
| 1984 | 10.06 | +10.4 pp |
| 1983 | -0.34 | −4.52 pp |
| 1982 | 4.17 | +1.84 pp |
| 1981 | 2.33 | +13.34 pp |
| 1980 | -11.01 | −7.53 pp |
| 1979 | -3.48 | −4.93 pp |
| 1978 | 1.45 | −0.58 pp |
| 1977 | 2.03 | +0.26 pp |
| 1976 | 1.78 | +1.01 pp |
| 1975 | 0.76 | +4.81 pp |
| 1974 | -4.05 | +3.74 pp |
| 1973 | -7.79 | −6.05 pp |
| 1972 | -1.74 | −4.47 pp |
| 1971 | 2.73 | −0.59 pp |
| 1970 | 3.32 | +2.75 pp |
| 1969 | 0.57 | −3.67 pp |
| 1968 | 4.24 | +0.01 pp |
| 1967 | 4.23 | +0.99 pp |
| 1966 | 3.25 | −0.55 pp |
| 1965 | 3.8 | +0.13 pp |
| 1964 | 3.67 | +1.24 pp |
| 1963 | 2.42 | −3.59 pp |
| 1962 | 6.01 | +0.81 pp |
| 1961 | 5.2 | — |
The lending interest rate adjusted for inflation by the GDP deflator. It shows the real cost of borrowed funds for the economy. Negative values mean that inflation erodes debt faster than interest accrues on it — a situation that favors borrowers and works against lenders and depositors.
Important: There are no aggregates for country groups: a weight by the volume of credit is needed, and we do not have it. The rate is already net of inflation, so negative values are normal — they mean borrowing costs less than inflation erodes.
Source: World Economic Outlook (IMF), license IMF open data.
The average rate at which banks lend to businesses and households.
Economy Consumer price inflationThe annual change in the consumer price index, in percent.
Finance Credit to the private sectorThe volume of bank lending to businesses and households as a percent of GDP.
Economy GDP growthThe annual growth rate of GDP in constant prices — with inflation stripped out.
