Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Namibia
Namibia: Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) was 5.81 in 2027. ◆ Volatile
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Namibia, 2000–2027
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Namibia is 5.81, measured in 2027.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.0% on the previous year and down 63.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Namibia peaked at 18.83 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.25, in 2000.
Namibia ranks 44th of 45 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Namibia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.25 | — |
| 2001 | 3.26 | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 4.43 | +36.0% |
| 2003 | 4.57 | +3.2% |
| 2004 | 5.09 | +11.5% |
| 2005 | 4.07 | -20.1% |
| 2006 | 4.64 | +13.9% |
| 2007 | 5.1 | +10.0% |
| 2008 | 4.44 | -13.0% |
| 2009 | 4.85 | +9.3% |
| 2010 | 4.28 | -11.8% |
| 2011 | 6.36 | +48.5% |
| 2012 | 7.82 | +23.1% |
| 2013 | 8.25 | +5.5% |
| 2014 | 8.19 | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 13.22 | +61.3% |
| 2016 | 17.49 | +32.3% |
| 2017 | 15.96 | -8.7% |
| 2018 | 14.38 | -9.9% |
| 2019 | 18.41 | +28.0% |
| 2020 | 18.83 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 13.83 | -26.6% |
| 2022 | 16.58 | +19.9% |
| 2023 | 16.67 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 15.23 | -8.6% |
| 2025 | 9.79 | -35.7% |
| 2026 | 6.46 | -34.0% |
| 2027 | 5.81 | -10.0% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 5.81 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 26.53, 22% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 5.81 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 30.44, 19% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.37 | 3.25 | 5.1 | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.44 | 4.28 | 18.41 | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.9 | 5.81 | 18.83 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
- 41 Mali 15.02 compare
- 42 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14.54 compare
- 43 Burundi 8.24 compare
- 45 Equatorial Guinea 3.86 compare
More external debt data for Namibia
- Other investment, Debt instruments 1.94 billion US dollar (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) -10.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments, Deposit taking corporations 639.87 million US dollar (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) 628.22 US dollar per person (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) 0.1288 US dollar per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Liabilities, International Liquidity, Liabilities to Nonresidents 571.15 million (2025)
- Net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government, Percent of -3.61 (2030)
- Other investment, Debt instruments, Deposit taking corporations -39.79 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government 1.67 (2030)
- Other investment, Debt instruments, Deposit taking corporations 206.89 US dollar per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Namibia?
- Gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Namibia was 5.81 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 18.83 in 2020.
- What is the lowest gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.25 in 2000.
- How does Namibia rank for gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and)?
- Namibia ranks 44th out of 45 countries with data for 2027.
- Is gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 63.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Namibia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.