Bangladesh External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Bangladesh's external debt to gni was 23.36% in 2025, ranked 99th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1973–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's external debt to gni stood at 23.36% in 2025, a rise of +1.10pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.36% by 2025. Bangladesh ranked 99th globally.
Bangladesh’s external debt to gross national income stood at 23.36 % in 2025, placing the country 99th in the global ranking and closely matching Nepal’s 23.35 % share. The indicator has risen sharply since the 1973 trough of 6.14 %, a level that reflected the nascent stage of Bangladesh’s external borrowing after independence. The most pronounced surge occurred in 1994, when debt reached an all‑time peak of 44.48 % of GNI, driven by large‑scale infrastructure financing and a series of concessional loan programmes. Over the subsequent three decades, the ratio has more than halved, reflecting a combination of debt‑service reforms, stronger export performance and gradual fiscal consolidation. The 53‑year coverage shows a long‑term upward trajectory that has now moderated, with recent years indicating a steadier debt profile. Continued improvements in export diversification and fiscal discipline could further lower the debt‑to‑GNI ratio, while any resurgence of external borrowing for large projects would likely reverse the current downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 24.99% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 24.17% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 23.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 23.36% | +1.10pp | #99 |
| 2024 | 22.25% | −0.03pp | #15 |
| 2023 | 22.29% | +2.02pp | #16 |
| 2022 | 20.27% | −0.61pp | #13 |
| 2021 | 20.88% | +1.99pp | #11 |
| 2020 | 18.89% | +1.80pp | #12 |
| 2019 | 17.09% | −0.01pp | #12 |
| 2018 | 17.09% | +0.29pp | #13 |
| 2017 | 16.81% | +1.83pp | #11 |
| 2016 | 14.97% | −3.68pp | #9 |
| 2015 | 18.66% | −0.47pp | #19 |
| 2014 | 19.13% | −0.90pp | #23 |
| 2013 | 20.03% | −0.14pp | #26 |
| 2012 | 20.16% | +0.68pp | #27 |
| 2011 | 19.49% | −1.84pp | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's external debt to gni was 23.36% in 2025. Ranked 99th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from the previous year.
Bangladesh's external debt to gni peaked at 44.48% in 1994.
The lowest external debt to gni in Bangladesh was 6.14% in 1973.
Bangladesh ranks 99th globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's external debt to gni is projected to reach 23.36% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Bangladesh in 2025 was 23.36%. This ranks 99th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Bangladesh External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}