South Africa Lending Rate
Average bank lending rate to the private sector.
Lending Rate in South Africa decreased to 10.69 percent in 2025 from 11.63 percent in 2024.
South Africa Lending Rate — History
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South Africa Lending Rate — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Lending Rate in South Africa decreased to 10.69 percent in 2025 from 11.63 percent in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 11.63%, so the latest figure is 0.94 percentage points lower.
Over the past five years the average was 9.93%, with a range from 7.04% to 11.63%. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1960 and has 66 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 47% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 22.33% (1984) and the lowest is 5.50% (1963). The long-run average is 12.30%.
Compared with other countries
Among 119 economies with recent data, South Africa ranks 48th from the top. The median across all these economies is 8.67%, so South Africa is above the typical country.
Among 12 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 2nd.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (28 economies with data) it ranks 20th; the regional median is 13.64%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 10.69%2025
- Previous
- 11.63%
- 5-year average
- 9.93%
- Long-run average
- 12.30%since 1960
- All-time high
- 22.33%1984
- All-time low
- 5.50%1963
- Observations
- 66Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10.69% | ▼ −0.94 pp |
| 2024 | 11.63% | ▲ +0.13 pp |
| 2023 | 11.50% | ▲ +2.71 pp |
| 2022 | 8.79% | ▲ +1.75 pp |
| 2021 | 7.04% | ▼ −0.67 pp |
| 2020 | 7.71% | ▼ −2.42 pp |
| 2019 | 10.13% | ▲ +0.04 pp |
| 2018 | 10.08% | ▼ −0.29 pp |
| 2017 | 10.38% | ▼ −0.08 pp |
| 2016 | 10.46% | ▲ +1.04 pp |
| 2015 | 9.42% | ▲ +0.29 pp |
| 2014 | 9.13% | ▲ +0.63 pp |
| 2013 | 8.50% | ▼ −0.25 pp |
| 2012 | 8.75% | ▼ −0.25 pp |
| 2011 | 9.00% | ▼ −0.83 pp |
| 2010 | 9.83% | ▼ −1.87 pp |
| 2009 | 11.71% | ▼ −3.42 pp |
| 2008 | 15.13% | ▲ +1.96 pp |
| 2007 | 13.17% | ▲ +2.00 pp |
| 2006 | 11.17% | ▲ +0.54 pp |
| 2005 | 10.63% | ▼ −0.67 pp |
| 2004 | 11.29% | ▼ −3.67 pp |
| 2003 | 14.96% | ▼ −0.79 pp |
| 2002 | 15.75% | ▲ +1.98 pp |
| 2001 | 13.77% | ▼ −0.73 pp |
| 2000 | 14.50% | ▼ −3.50 pp |
| 1999 | 18.00% | ▼ −3.79 pp |
| 1998 | 21.79% | ▲ +1.79 pp |
| 1997 | 20.00% | ▲ +0.48 pp |
| 1996 | 19.52% |
Lending Rate — South Africa vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Africa highlighted.
More South Africa indicators
Understanding Lending Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
The average rate banks charge on loans to the private sector.
How it is calculated
Average rate charged by banks on new loans to businesses and households.
A 9% lending rate means a ₹1 lakh loan costs about ₹9,000 a year in interest.
Higher rates make borrowing more expensive.
Lower rates make credit cheaper.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Lending rates determine the cost of credit for businesses and households.
How to read it
The gap between lending and deposit rates (the spread) reflects banking-sector costs and risk.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series FR.INR.LEND), annual data from 1960 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current lending rate of South Africa?
What is the highest and lowest lending rate of South Africa?
What does lending rate measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.