South Africa — Central government deficit

millions of LCU · Annual · 1911–2024 · 114 observations

About this series

The central government deficit series records the period's fiscal balance under the source's accounting and sign convention. A deficit indicates a shortfall; the series is a flow, not a debt stock.

The central government deficit reading for South Africa was −377.32B LCU in 2024. The previous reading was −372.97B LCU in 2023; the period change was −4.35B LCU. The corresponding ratio to GDP was −5.11% in 2024.

-600.00B-400.00B-200.00B0200.00B191120102024LCUSubscribe to view

Get the full series

  • Annual data, 1911–2024
  • Quarterly data, 1992–2021
  • All 3 sources, downloadable

Latest observations

2002–2024

PeriodValue
2024-377.32B LCU
2023-372.97B LCU
2022-329.94B LCU
2021-307.51B LCU
2020-525.63B LCU
15 earlier values
2019-311.98B LCU
2018-246.17B LCU
2017-227.70B LCU
2016-152.06B LCU
2015-176.37B LCU
2014-148.72B LCU
2013-150.73B LCU
2012-171.15B LCU
2011-179.15B LCU
2010-147.43B LCU
2009-130.83B LCU
2008-13.17B LCU
200723.51B LCU
200610.84B LCU
2005-9.36B LCU

Values before 2005, back to 2002, are on the chart — hover to read them.

Data release 2026_08_27_1049, published 30 Sept 2026.