Djibouti External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Djibouti's external debt was $3.6B in 2025, ranked 91st globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Djibouti's external debt stood at $3.6B in 2025, a rise of +$176.2M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $3.6B by 2025. Djibouti ranked 91st globally.
Djibouti’s external debt has risen dramatically over the 56‑year series, expanding from a modest 2,594,794.20 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 3,633,240,407.99 in 2025, placing the country 91st globally. The steep upward trajectory reflects intensified borrowing to finance port infrastructure, military bases and public‑sector projects that have become central to Djibouti’s growth strategy. Compared with peers of similar rank, Djibouti’s debt level is slightly lower than Malawi’s 3,960,612,293.76 but exceeds Afghanistan’s 3,496,377,270.85, indicating a debt burden comparable to other low‑income economies that rely heavily on external financing. The rapid accumulation of liabilities since the early 2000s suggests that debt service costs are likely to consume an increasing share of fiscal resources, potentially crowding out social spending. Continued reliance on external borrowing without a commensurate rise in export earnings could sustain the upward trend, whereas diversification of the economy and stronger debt‑management policies would be required to reverse it.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $3.9B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $3.8B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $3.6B | - | - |
| 2025 | $3.6B | +$176.2M | #91 |
| 2024 | $3.5B | +$28.2M | #30 |
| 2023 | $3.4B | +$258.7M | #31 |
| 2022 | $3.2B | −$36.4M | #28 |
| 2021 | $3.2B | +$306.2M | #28 |
| 2020 | $2.9B | +$347.8M | #28 |
| 2019 | $2.6B | +$231.2M | #30 |
| 2018 | $2.3B | +$54.4M | #29 |
| 2017 | $2.3B | +$564.7M | #29 |
| 2016 | $1.7B | +$474.7M | #26 |
| 2015 | $1.2B | +$284.4M | #22 |
| 2014 | $943.1M | +$122.5M | #20 |
| 2013 | $820.6M | +$18.2M | #18 |
| 2012 | $802.4M | +$32.9M | #18 |
| 2011 | $769.5M | +$979,240 | #17 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Djibouti matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Djibouti's external debt was $3.6B in 2025. Ranked 91st globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from the previous year.
Djibouti's external debt peaked at $3.6B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Djibouti was $2.6M in 1970.
Djibouti ranks 91st globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Djibouti's external debt is projected to reach $3.6B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Djibouti's external debt was approximately 3.63 billion ($3.6B) in 2025.
The external debt of Djibouti in 2025 was $3.6B. This ranks 91st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_djibouti_external-debt,
title = {Djibouti External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/djibouti/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}