Brazil External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Brazil's external debt to gni was 24.62% in 2025, ranked 96th globally. This represents a 14.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Brazil's external debt to gni stood at 24.62% in 2025, a decline of +4.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 24.62% by 2025. Brazil ranked 96th globally.
Brazil’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio has risen from a trough of 14.34% in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 52.94% during the 1984 debt crisis, before gradually declining to 24.62% in 2025, placing the country 96th in global rankings. Over the 56‑year series, the indicator shows a long‑term upward trajectory punctuated by the sharp increase of the early 1980s, a pattern similar to many emerging economies that faced external financing constraints in that era. In 2025 Brazil’s ratio of 24.62% is comparable to peers such as Mali (24.86%) and the Syrian Arab Republic (24.46%), suggesting a convergence among middle‑income and lower‑income nations toward moderate debt levels relative to income. The recent decline from the 1980s peak reflects improved fiscal discipline and diversified financing sources, but future movements will depend on external interest‑rate dynamics, commodity price volatility, and the pace of structural reforms that could either sustain the modest downward trend or trigger a reversal.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 19.55% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 22.09% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 24.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 24.62% | −4.04pp | #96 |
| 2024 | 28.66% | +0.03pp | #25 |
| 2023 | 28.63% | −1.93pp | #26 |
| 2022 | 30.56% | −4.73pp | #30 |
| 2021 | 35.29% | −2.72pp | #32 |
| 2020 | 38.01% | +6.81pp | #35 |
| 2019 | 31.20% | +1.27pp | #34 |
| 2018 | 29.93% | +3.11pp | #35 |
| 2017 | 26.82% | −4.09pp | #31 |
| 2016 | 30.91% | +0.18pp | #39 |
| 2015 | 30.73% | +7.62pp | #42 |
| 2014 | 23.11% | +3.27pp | #32 |
| 2013 | 19.84% | +1.51pp | #23 |
| 2012 | 18.33% | +2.47pp | #21 |
| 2011 | 15.85% | −0.61pp | #16 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Brazil matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Brazil's external debt to gni was 24.62% in 2025. Ranked 96th globally. This represents a 14.1% decrease from the previous year.
Brazil's external debt to gni peaked at 52.94% in 1984.
The lowest external debt to gni in Brazil was 14.34% in 1970.
Brazil ranks 96th 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.
Brazil's external debt to gni is projected to reach 24.62% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Brazil in 2025 was 24.62%. This ranks 96th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_brazil_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Brazil External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/brazil/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}