Cambodia External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Cambodia's external debt was $23.5B in 2025, ranked 45th globally. This represents a 12.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2025.
Overview
Cambodia's external debt stood at $23.5B in 2025, a rise of +$2.5B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $23.5B by 2025. Cambodia ranked 45th globally.
Cambodia’s external debt has risen dramatically over the 45‑year series, expanding from a low of 163,589,000.00 in 1981 to an all‑time peak of 23,500,879,070.79 in 2025, placing the kingdom at rank 45 globally. This surge reflects sustained borrowing to finance infrastructure, energy and social projects, a pattern also observed in peer economies such as Mauritius, whose external debt stood at 22,930,668,314.41. While the 1980s featured modest external obligations, the post‑2000 era saw a steady acceleration, with debt‑to‑GDP ratios climbing as foreign direct investment and concessional loans increased. The current level exceeds the early‑1990s trough by more than 140 times, underscoring a structural shift toward greater reliance on external financing. Future trajectories will hinge on the pace of export growth, fiscal consolidation and the terms of new borrowing; a slowdown in capital‑intensive projects or tighter debt‑service constraints could temper the upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $25.4B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $24.4B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $23.5B | - | - |
| 2025 | $23.5B | +$2.5B | #45 |
| 2024 | $21.0B | −$1.6B | #74 |
| 2023 | $22.5B | +$59.9M | #75 |
| 2022 | $22.5B | +$2.4B | #76 |
| 2021 | $20.1B | +$2.5B | #73 |
| 2020 | $17.6B | +$2.2B | #71 |
| 2019 | $15.4B | +$1.8B | #71 |
| 2018 | $13.5B | +$2.1B | #70 |
| 2017 | $11.4B | +$1.4B | #64 |
| 2016 | $10.1B | +$625.0M | #62 |
| 2015 | $9.4B | +$1.1B | #62 |
| 2014 | $8.3B | +$700.4M | #59 |
| 2013 | $7.6B | +$870.6M | #58 |
| 2012 | $6.7B | +$2.1B | #60 |
| 2011 | $4.7B | +$644.8M | #50 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cambodia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambodia's external debt was $23.5B in 2025. Ranked 45th globally. This represents a 12.0% increase from the previous year.
Cambodia's external debt peaked at $23.5B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Cambodia was $163.6M in 1981.
Cambodia ranks 45th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Cambodia's external debt is projected to reach $23.5B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Cambodia's external debt was approximately 23.5 billion ($23.5B) in 2025.
The external debt of Cambodia in 2025 was $23.5B. This ranks 45th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cambodia_external-debt,
title = {Cambodia External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cambodia/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}