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BBCSwinney defends food prices policy ahead of first minister vote·Economic TimesIndia fuel price hike among world's lowest: BJP·SCMPSome Asian airlines could collapse like Spirit without help on rising fuel costs·SCMPTexans accuse Japan of doing ‘deal with the devil’ by funding US fossil fuel projects·SCMPHong Kong property upswing poised to hold despite interest rates risk: Moody’s·SCMPCuba warns of ‘bloodbath’ if US attacks as Washington expands sanctions·NYTOil Prices Climb and Bonds Falter as Iran War Raises Inflation Fears·SCMPUS extends Russian oil waiver by 30 days as Hormuz closure chokes supply·BBCSwinney defends food prices policy ahead of first minister vote·Economic TimesIndia fuel price hike among world's lowest: BJP·SCMPSome Asian airlines could collapse like Spirit without help on rising fuel costs·SCMPTexans accuse Japan of doing ‘deal with the devil’ by funding US fossil fuel projects·SCMPHong Kong property upswing poised to hold despite interest rates risk: Moody’s·SCMPCuba warns of ‘bloodbath’ if US attacks as Washington expands sanctions·NYTOil Prices Climb and Bonds Falter as Iran War Raises Inflation Fears·SCMPUS extends Russian oil waiver by 30 days as Hormuz closure chokes supply·
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R

South African Rand

ZAR · South Africa

38
Moderate
Risk
Historical Scores
313845Jul 2021Jul 2023May 2026
What does this mean for you?

The South African Rand is in decent shape overall, scoring 38 out of 100. There are some areas to watch, but no immediate danger. Your money is holding its value reasonably well compared to most currencies.

You need at least 5.9%/yr returns. Money in a basic account is slowly losing value. Calculator ↓

Inflation
4.4%
Debt / GDP
79.4%
GDP Growth
0.5%
FX Volatility
22.9
Governance
-0.1
Reserves
5.7 mo
Full South Africa analysis →

Savings Impact Calculator

R
Holding cash in ZAR4.4% inflation
R808−R192 (19% purchasing power lost)
Your R1,000 buys 19% less in 5 years
What if you invested R1,000 instead? (5yr, in ZAR terms)
USD-denominated assets gain an additional ~1.4%/yr from expected ZAR depreciation vs USD
Hold USD Cash
R921
−R79
-1.6%/yr net in ZAR
S&P 500
R1713
+R713
range: R789–R3351
10% USD return + 1.4% FX · ±16% vol
Gold
R1564
+R564
range: R453–R4218
8% USD return + 1.4% FX · ±24% vol
Bitcoin
R3222
+R2222
range: R198–R19.1k
25% USD return + 1.4% FX · ±54% vol

All values in ZAR. USD-denominated assets (S&P 500, Gold, Bitcoin) include an estimated FX gain of ~1.4%/yr based on the inflation differential between South Africa (4.4%) and the US (~3%). This uses purchasing power parity as a long-run approximation — actual FX movements can differ significantly in the short term. S&P 500 based on 1957-2024, Gold on 2000-2024, Bitcoin on 2015-2024. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Not financial advice.

Holding other assets too? Calculate your full portfolio risk →
This score is based on our 12-factor risk model. Think inflation or debt should matter more? Build your own model with custom weights and see how ZAR ranks differently.
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