Iraq External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Iraq's external debt to gni was 3.23% in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 48.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2015–2025.
Overview
Iraq's external debt to gni stood at 3.23% in 2025, a decline of +3.00pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.23% by 2025. Iraq ranked 115th globally.
Iraq’s external debt to gross national income has fallen dramatically over the past decade, sliding from 11.58 % in 2015 to a trough of 3.23 % in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the 11‑year series and ranking it 115th globally. The indicator peaked at 15.12 % in 2017, a reflection of heightened borrowing amid post‑conflict reconstruction and volatile oil revenues, before a sustained reduction in debt servicing costs and stronger fiscal consolidation brought the ratio down. Compared with peers, Iraq’s 2025 figure is higher than Turkmenistan’s 2.96 % but well below Haiti’s 5.24 % and Algeria’s 2.60 %, underscoring a moderate debt burden relative to other lower‑income economies. The downward trajectory suggests that continued diversification of export earnings and prudent borrowing could keep the external debt ratio on a declining path, although a resurgence in global oil price volatility or large infrastructure financing needs could reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -1.10% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.07% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.23% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.23% | −3.00pp | #115 |
| 2024 | 6.23% | −1.30pp | #5 |
| 2023 | 7.53% | −0.40pp | #4 |
| 2022 | 7.93% | −4.28pp | #3 |
| 2021 | 12.21% | −2.49pp | #6 |
| 2020 | 14.70% | +2.88pp | #6 |
| 2019 | 11.82% | −0.50pp | #5 |
| 2018 | 12.32% | −2.79pp | #5 |
| 2017 | 15.12% | +0.98pp | #8 |
| 2016 | 14.14% | +2.56pp | #6 |
| 2015 | 11.58% | – | #5 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's external debt to gni was 3.23% in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 48.1% decrease from the previous year.
Iraq's external debt to gni peaked at 15.12% in 2017.
The lowest external debt to gni in Iraq was 3.23% in 2025.
Iraq ranks 115th 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.
Iraq's external debt to gni is projected to reach 3.23% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Iraq in 2025 was 3.23%. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Iraq External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}