The benchmark interest rate in South Africa was last recorded at 7 percent. This dataset provides - South Africa Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about South Africa Policy Rate

• South Africa cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Repo Rate) was set at 7.50 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 7.50 % pa in the previous Jan 2025.
• South Africa Policy Rate averaged 7.00 % pa and is updated monthly, available from Nov 1999 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 13.50 % pa in May 2003 and a record low of 3.50 % pa in Oct 2021.

• In the latest reports, South Africa Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Treasury Bills Rate: 91 Days was reported at 7.41 % pa in Feb 2025.
• Its Long Term Interest Rate (Government Bond Yield: Month End: 10 Years and Over) was reported at 10.52 % pa in Feb 2025.
• South Africa Exchange Rate against USD averaged 18.74 (USD/ZAR) in Jun 2023.
• Its Real Effective Exchange Rate was 89.35 in Dec 2024.

This dataset provides values for INTEREST RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

FocusEconomics' economic data is provided by official state statistical reporting agencies as well as our global network of leading banks, think tanks and consultancies. Our datasets provide not only historical data, but also Consensus Forecasts and individual forecasts from the aformentioned global network of economic analysts. This includes the latest forecasts as well as historical forecasts going back to 2010. Our global network consists of over 1000 world-renowned economic analysts from which we calculate our Consensus Forecasts. In this specific dataset you will find economic data for South Africa Interest Rate.

Key information about South Africa Long Term Interest Rate

• South Africa Government Bond Yield: Month End: 10 Years and Over was reported at 10.52 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 10.38 % pa in the previous month.
• South Africa Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Aug 2006 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 12.43 % pa in Sep 2023 and a record low of 6.73 % pa in Apr 2013.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by South African Reserve Bank.

• In the latest reports, South Africa Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Treasury Bills Rate: 91 Days was reported at 7.41 % pa in Feb 2025.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Repo Rate) was set at 7.50 % pa in Feb 2025.
• South Africa Exchange Rate against USD averaged 18.74 (USD/ZAR) in Jun 2023.

Lending Rate in South Africa remained unchanged at 10.75 percent in July. This dataset provides - South Africa Lending Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about South Africa Short Term Interest Rate

• South Africa Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Treasury Bills Rate: 91 Days was reported at 7.41 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 7.70 % pa in the previous month.
• South Africa Short Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Dec 1980 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 22.15 % pa in Feb 1985 and a record low of 3.45 % pa in Aug 2020.
• Short Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by South African Reserve Bank.

• In the latest reports, South Africa Government Bond Yield: Month End: 10 Years and Over was reported at 10.52 % pa in Feb 2025.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Repo Rate) was set at 7.50 % pa in Feb 2025.
• South Africa Exchange Rate against USD averaged 18.74 (USD/ZAR) in Jun 2023.

Key information about South Africa Real Effective Exchange Rate

• South Africa Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER: 2005=100: Month Avg: South Africa) was 89.3 in Dec 2024, compared with the number of 90.0 in the previous month.
• South Africa Real Effective Exchange Rate data is updated monthly and averaged 143.5 from Jan 1970 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 143.5 in Aug 1983 and a record low of 63.9 in Dec 2001.

• In the latest reports, South Africa Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Treasury Bills Rate: 91 Days was reported at 7.4 % pa in Feb 2025.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Repo Rate) was set at 7.5 % pa in Feb 2025.
• South Africa Exchange Rate against USD averaged 18.7 (USD/ZAR) in Jun 2023.

South Africa Prime Lending Rate data was reported at 11.000 % pa in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 11.000 % pa for Feb 2025. South Africa Prime Lending Rate data is updated monthly, averaging 10.500 % pa from Jan 2000 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 303 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.000 % pa in May 2003 and a record low of 7.000 % pa in Oct 2021. South Africa Prime Lending Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by South African Reserve Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.M005: Prime Lending Rate.

South Africa’s inflation has been quite stable for the past years, levelling off between 3.2 and 6.9 percent, and is in fact expected to stabilize at around 4.5 percent in the future. South Africa is a mixed economy, generating most of its GDP through the services sector, especially tourism. However, the country struggles with unemployment and poverty.

Inflation who?

The inflation rate of a country is an important key factor to determine the country’s economic strength. It is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket, containing goods and services on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include, for example, expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, utilities, but also recreational activities, and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. Some of these goods are more volatile than others – food prices, for example, are considered less reliable. The European Central Bank aims to keep inflation at around two percent in the long run.

What happened in 2016?

In 2016, South Africa’s inflation rate peaked at over 6.3 percent, and gross domestic product, and thus economic growth , took a hit, a sure indicator that something was affecting the country’s economic scaffolding: Low growth due to weak demand and an uncertain political future caused a crisis; then-President Jacob Zuma’s alleged mismanagement and unstable reign steeped in controversy and criminal charges even caused the economy’s outlook to be downgraded by ratings agencies. Zuma was relieved of his office in 2018 – ever since, inflation, GDP, and economic growth seem to have stabilized.

In 2024, projections show that ***** out of the **** African regions will have an increased growth margin as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to 2023, showing hope for economic recovery post-COVID-19 restrictions. In 2023, the region of East Africa is projected to have the highest share of GDP growth in Africa. It will have an estimated **** percent growth rate. Furthermore, compared to the 2022 projections, 2023 showed decreased growth rate, with the exception of West Africa. However, the growth rate may now be decreasing in 2023 compared to 2022 projections due to a number of factors, including a decrease in government stimulus, ongoing uncertainty related to the pandemic, and the potential for economic headwinds such as rising inflation and interest rates. In 2021, Africa's economy was projected to recover following the impact of the pandemic, with the regional real GDPs growing significantly. In 2020, Southern Africa registered the sharpest decline in GDP growth rate in the continent, at **** percent. Southern and Central Africa were the regions that suffered the most in that year, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic's impacts on economic growth in Africa.

Inflation Rate in South Africa increased to 3.50 percent in July from 3 percent in June of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Deposit Interest Rate in South Africa decreased to 7.85 percent in February from 7.88 percent in January of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Deposit Interest Rate in South Africa.

Up until 2014-2015, the South African property market was all about sellers and landlords seeking high rents, especially in two key markets, Johannesburg and Cape Town. However, since then it has become a buyer’s market with overall revenues of property owning and letting expected to fall from 12.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 to 11.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. A struggling economy, much political noise and a resultant lack of discretionary spending are the three key reasons for the slump in prices. The impact has been mainly felt in the high-end segment with investors opting out and only actual users completing transactions. Foreign buying, which earlier accounted for a significant portion of market revenues is also on the wane, with more of this consumer segment actually looking to sell. The Covid-19 outbreak has plunged the South African economy deep into recession with a recovery over the short to medium term unlikely. However, this doesn’t augur badly for the property market as a whole. In fact, the interest rate cut by the central bank in January, along with an increase in the transfer duty threshold to R1 million and personal income tax relief, is likely to boost the lower segment and result in more buyers.

In 2023, the total number of light vehicle imports into South Africa amounted to over ******* units. This demonstrated a decrease of *** percent compared to the previous year, which is aligned with the poor performance of the domestic new vehicle market. This was likely due to factors such as high inflation, high-interest rates and increased vehicle prices.

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Home Equity Lending Market Size 2025-2029

The home equity lending market size is forecast to increase by USD 48.16 billion, at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, fueled primarily by the massive increase in home prices and the resulting rise in residential properties with substantial equity. This trend presents a lucrative opportunity for lenders, as homeowners with substantial equity can borrow against their homes to fund various expenses, from home improvements to debt consolidation. However, this market also faces challenges. Lengthy procedures and complex regulatory requirements can hinder the growth of home equity lending, making it essential for lenders to streamline their processes and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
Additionally, economic uncertainty and potential interest rate fluctuations may impact borrower demand, requiring lenders to adapt their strategies to remain competitive. To capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively, lenders must focus on enhancing the borrower experience, leveraging technology to streamline processes, and maintaining a strong regulatory compliance framework.

What will be the Size of the Home Equity Lending Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, shaped by various economic and market dynamics. Fair lending practices remain a crucial aspect, with entities ensuring borrowers' creditworthiness through rigorous risk assessments. Economic conditions, employment history, and credit score are integral components of this evaluation. Mortgage insurance (PMIs) and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are employed to mitigate risk in the event of default. Verification of income, property value, and consumer protection are also essential elements in the home equity lending process. Housing prices, Homeowners Insurance, and property value are assessed to determine the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and interest rate risk. Prepayment penalties, closing costs, and loan term are factors that influence borrowers' financial planning and decision-making.

The regulatory environment plays a significant role in shaping market activities. Consumer confidence, financial literacy, and foreclosure prevention initiatives are key areas of focus. real estate market volatility and mortgage rates impact the demand for home equity loans, with cash-out refinancing and debt consolidation being popular applications. Amortization schedules, mortgage broker involvement, and escrow accounts are essential components of the loan origination process. Market volatility and housing market trends continue to unfold, requiring ongoing risk assessment and adaptation.

How is this Home Equity Lending Industry segmented?

The home equity lending industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Source

  Mortgage and credit union
  Commercial banks
  Others


Distribution Channel

  Offline
  Online


Purpose

  Home Improvement
  Debt Consolidation
  Investment


Loan Type

  Fixed-Rate
  Variable-Rate


Geography

  North America

    US
    Mexico


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Source Insights

The mortgage and credit union segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the realm of home equity lending, mortgage and credit unions emerge as trusted partners for consumers. These financial institutions offer various services beyond home loans, including deposit management, checking and savings accounts, and credit and debit cards. By choosing a mortgage or credit union for home equity lending, consumers gain access to human advisors who can guide them through the intricacies of finance. Mortgage and credit unions provide competitive rates on home equity loans, making them an attractive option. Consumer protection is a priority, with fair lending practices and rigorous risk assessment ensuring creditworthiness. Economic conditions, employment history, and credit score are all taken into account during the loan origination process.

Home equity loans can be used for various purposes, such as home improvement projects, debt consolidation, or cash-out refinancing. Consumer confidence plays a role in loan origination, with interest rates influenced by market volatility and economic conditions. Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans are available, each with its a