Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) was 24.87 in 2027. ▼ Falling
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), 2000–2027
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
In 2027, gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) stood at 24.87.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and up 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) peaked at 37.45 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 9.87, in 2010.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 28 years of available data.
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 35.94 | — |
| 2001 | 37.45 | +4.2% |
| 2002 | 34.86 | -6.9% |
| 2003 | 30.62 | -12.2% |
| 2004 | 25.99 | -15.1% |
| 2005 | 21.26 | -18.2% |
| 2006 | 12.83 | -39.7% |
| 2007 | 11.35 | -11.5% |
| 2008 | 10.1 | -11.0% |
| 2009 | 11.71 | +15.9% |
| 2010 | 9.87 | -15.7% |
| 2011 | 9.96 | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 10.51 | +5.6% |
| 2013 | 11.42 | +8.6% |
| 2014 | 12.09 | +5.9% |
| 2015 | 14.05 | +16.3% |
| 2016 | 17.53 | +24.8% |
| 2017 | 19.73 | +12.5% |
| 2018 | 19.45 | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 20.47 | +5.3% |
| 2020 | 24.57 | +20.0% |
| 2021 | 23.36 | -4.9% |
| 2022 | 22.29 | -4.6% |
| 2023 | 24.73 | +10.9% |
| 2024 | 27.2 | +10.0% |
| 2025 | 26.82 | -1.4% |
| 2026 | 24.91 | -7.1% |
| 2027 | 24.87 | -0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 23.21 | 10.1 | 37.45 | 10 |
| 2010s | 14.51 | 9.87 | 20.47 | 10 |
| 2020s | 24.84 | 22.29 | 27.2 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
- 10 Madagascar 39.67 compare
- 11 Lesotho 38.06 compare
- 12 Angola 36.12 compare
- 13 Cote d'Ivoire 33.29 compare
- 14 Seychelles 32.19 compare
- 15 Comoros 31.52 compare
- 16 Eswatini 31.47 compare
More external debt data for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
- Direct investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) -37.20 billion (2024)
- Direct investment, Net incurrence of liabilities, Liabilities 43.88 billion (2024)
- Other investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less net) 24.78 billion (2024)
- Financial account balance (assets less liabilities), Net (net) -12.58 billion (2024)
- Other investment, Net incurrence of liabilities, Liabilities 13.18 billion (2024)
- Portfolio investment, Net (net acquisition of financial assets less) -20.88 billion (2024)
- Portfolio investment, Net incurrence of liabilities, Liabilities 26.27 billion (2024)
- International investment position, Liabilities, Adjusted using IMF 2.13 trillion (2024)
- International investment position, Net (assets less liabilities) -563.17 billion (2024)
- Financial derivatives (other than reserves) and employee stock -196.19 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)?
- Gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was 24.87 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)?
- The highest recorded value was 37.45 in 2001.
- What is the lowest gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.87 in 2010.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) rank for gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and)?
- Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) ranks 13th out of 19 groups with data for 2027.
- Is gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) 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.