Ghana Short-term Debt
Short-term debt as % of total external debt DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS
Ghana's short-term debt was 6.01% in 2025, ranked 77th globally. This represents a 14.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Ghana's short-term debt stood at 6.01% in 2025, a decline of +1.00% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 6.01% by 2025. Ghana ranked 77th globally.
Ghana’s short‑term external debt, measured as a share of gross external debt, stood at 6.01 in 2025, placing the country 77th in the World Bank’s global ranking. The indicator has been tracked for 56 years, rising from a modest 0.89 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 28.68 in 1978, a period marked by global oil shocks and expansive fiscal financing, before falling to a trough of 0.43 in 1976 as the economy contracted. Since the 1980s, the share has fluctuated within a single‑digit range, reflecting Ghana’s recurrent reliance on short‑term financing to bridge fiscal gaps and support import needs. Compared with peers of similar rank, Suriname recorded 6.12 and St. Lucia 5.90 in the same year, underscoring a regional clustering of modest short‑term debt burdens. Continued diversification of financing sources and stronger fiscal buffers could temper future increases, steering the trajectory toward greater stability.
Data & projection
| Year | Short-term Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 3.27% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 4.64% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 6.01% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.01% | −1.00% | #77 |
| 2024 | 7.00% | −2.02% | #48 |
| 2023 | 9.02% | −1.65% | #58 |
| 2022 | 10.67% | −0.37% | #64 |
| 2021 | 11.04% | −1.80% | #68 |
| 2020 | 12.84% | −1.36% | #79 |
| 2019 | 14.20% | +3.79% | #81 |
| 2018 | 10.41% | +0.52% | #65 |
| 2017 | 9.88% | +1.87% | #62 |
| 2016 | 8.01% | −2.55% | #53 |
| 2015 | 10.55% | −0.18% | #61 |
| 2014 | 10.74% | −2.07% | #61 |
| 2013 | 12.81% | +1.54% | #71 |
| 2012 | 11.26% | −1.38% | #62 |
| 2011 | 12.64% | +1.01% | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ghana matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw short-term debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ghana's short-term debt was 6.01% in 2025. Ranked 77th globally. This represents a 14.2% decrease from the previous year.
Ghana's short-term debt peaked at 28.68% in 1978.
The lowest short-term debt in Ghana was 0.43% in 1976.
Ghana ranks 77th globally in short-term debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ghana's short-term debt is projected to reach 6.01% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The short-term debt of Ghana in 2025 was 6.01%. This ranks 77th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ghana_short-term-debt,
title = {Ghana Short-term Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ghana/short-term-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}