South Africa: Lending interest rate

The latest value from 2025 is 10.69 percent, a decline from 11.63 percent in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 11.86 percent, based on data from 66 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1960 to 2025 is 12.3 percent. The minimum value, 5.5 percent, was reached in 1963 while the maximum of 22.33 percent was recorded in 1984. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The lending interest rate in South Africa shown below is the interest rate on credits from banks to prime borrowers, i.e. to the lowest risk borrowers in the private sector. That includes firms and households.

Definition: Lending rate is the bank rate that usually meets the short- and medium-term financing needs of the private sector. This rate is normally differentiated according to creditworthiness of borrowers and objectives of financing. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.