Jamaica External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Jamaica's external debt to gni was 65.32% in 2025, ranked 27th globally. This represents a 14.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Jamaica's external debt to gni stood at 65.32% in 2025, a decline of +10.75pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.32% by 2025. Jamaica ranked 27th globally.
Jamaica’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio stood at 65.32 % in 2025, placing the country 27th in the global ranking and closely matching peers such as Sri Lanka (66.15 %) and Lesotho (64.56 %). The indicator has trended downward since a dramatic peak of 228.19 % in 1985, when debt accumulation surged amid global oil shocks and domestic fiscal strains. A sustained decline followed, reaching an all‑time trough of 46.53 % in 1998 after structural adjustment programmes and debt relief initiatives reduced the burden. Over the 56‑year coverage span, the ratio has fallen by more than 60 percentage points, reflecting successive reforms, improved fiscal management, and modest economic growth. Nevertheless, the 2025 level remains markedly higher than the 1998 low, indicating that debt reduction has stalled in recent years. Future progress will depend on maintaining fiscal discipline, attracting foreign investment, and strengthening export diversification to keep the debt trajectory on a downward path.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 45.93% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 55.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 65.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 65.32% | −10.75pp | #27 |
| 2024 | 76.07% | −4.39pp | #92 |
| 2023 | 80.46% | −13.97pp | #96 |
| 2022 | 94.43% | −18.19pp | #104 |
| 2021 | 112.62% | +4.15pp | #107 |
| 2020 | 108.47% | +14.48pp | #105 |
| 2019 | 93.99% | −21.84pp | #103 |
| 2018 | 115.83% | +14.46pp | #115 |
| 2017 | 101.37% | −2.52pp | #109 |
| 2016 | 103.89% | +1.65pp | #109 |
| 2015 | 102.23% | −1.27pp | #110 |
| 2014 | 103.51% | +10.98pp | #113 |
| 2013 | 92.53% | −5.01pp | #106 |
| 2012 | 97.53% | −5.06pp | #113 |
| 2011 | 102.59% | −8.88pp | #115 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's external debt to gni was 65.32% in 2025. Ranked 27th globally. This represents a 14.1% decrease from the previous year.
Jamaica's external debt to gni peaked at 228.19% in 1985.
The lowest external debt to gni in Jamaica was 46.53% in 1998.
Jamaica ranks 27th 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.
Jamaica's external debt to gni is projected to reach 65.32% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Jamaica in 2025 was 65.32%. This ranks 27th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Jamaica External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}