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Developing country debt hits record $9.4tn, World Bank report shows
November 5, 2026 at 10:28 PM
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2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 4 hours
The World Bank's annual International Debt Report has shown debt owed by low- and middle-income countries rose to a record $9.4 trillion in 2025.
- External debt of low- and middle-income countries rose 5.5% in 2025 to a record $9.4tn, its fastest increase in four years, the World Bank said Thursday.
- The poorest countries paid an average 8.2% interest on new private-sector borrowing in 2025, the highest rate since the late 1980s.
- Debt-service payments rose to $1.4tn in 2025, marking a fifth consecutive year of increases.
- World Bank chief statistician Haishan Fu said low- and middle-income countries are borrowing more and paying more, leaving less for long-term development.