Iran, Islamic Republic of External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's external debt to gni was 2.38% in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 7.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's external debt to gni stood at 2.38% in 2025, a rise of +0.16pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.38% by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 118th globally.
Iran's external debt to Gross National Income (GNI) has experienced significant fluctuations over the past four decades. At its peak in 1993, the ratio reached 36.69%, largely due to a combination of international sanctions and economic isolation following the Iranian Revolution. Conversely, the country's debt-to-GNI ratio declined to a historic low of 1.15% in 2012, as Iran's oil exports increased and international sanctions were eased. Since then, the ratio has gradually risen, standing at 2.38% in 2025, ranking #118 globally. For context, Algeria's ratio is slightly higher at 2.60%, while Turkmenistan's is 2.96%. The current trajectory suggests a relatively stable external debt position for Iran, but potential disruptions to global oil markets or renewed international sanctions could alter this trend. A significant shift in Iran's economic trajectory, such as a major increase in foreign investment or a substantial decline in oil revenues, would likely impact the country's external debt dynamics.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.38% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.38% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.38% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.38% | +0.16pp | #118 |
| 2024 | 2.21% | −0.24pp | #1 |
| 2023 | 2.45% | +0.05pp | #1 |
| 2022 | 2.40% | −0.30pp | #1 |
| 2021 | 2.70% | +0.62pp | #1 |
| 2020 | 2.08% | +0.62pp | #1 |
| 2019 | 1.46% | +0.02pp | #1 |
| 2018 | 1.44% | +0.05pp | #1 |
| 2017 | 1.39% | +0.07pp | #1 |
| 2016 | 1.32% | −0.26pp | #1 |
| 2015 | 1.58% | +0.32pp | #1 |
| 2014 | 1.25% | −0.14pp | #1 |
| 2013 | 1.39% | +0.24pp | #1 |
| 2012 | 1.15% | −1.59pp | #1 |
| 2011 | 2.74% | −1.32pp | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. 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
Iran, Islamic Republic of's external debt to gni was 2.38% in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 7.4% increase from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's external debt to gni peaked at 36.69% in 1993.
The lowest external debt to gni in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 1.15% in 2012.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 118th 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.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's external debt to gni is projected to reach 2.38% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 2.38%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}