Jamaica Short-term Debt
Short-term debt as % of total external debt DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS
Jamaica's short-term debt was 17.04% in 2025, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 5.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Jamaica's short-term debt stood at 17.04% in 2025, a rise of +0.87% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 17.04% by 2025. Jamaica ranked 34th globally.
Jamaica’s short‑term debt, measured as a share of gross external debt, stood at 17.04 in 2025, placing the island nation 34th in the World Bank ranking and slightly below peers such as Bulgaria (17.28) and Djibouti (17.35). The indicator has been recorded for 56 years, beginning at 0.00 in 1970 and reaching its all‑time peak of 19.45 in 1999, a period marked by heightened external borrowing to finance fiscal deficits and infrastructure projects. The trough of 0.00 in 1976 reflects a brief episode of minimal short‑term obligations, coinciding with a relatively closed monetary environment. Since the late 1990s, Jamaica’s short‑term debt has gradually declined, stabilising in the high‑teens after a series of debt‑management reforms and increased access to longer‑term financing. Continued structural adjustments and diversification of financing sources could further moderate the ratio, potentially shifting the trajectory toward lower short‑term debt levels in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Short-term Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 18.29% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 17.67% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 17.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 17.04% | +0.87% | #34 |
| 2024 | 16.17% | −0.95% | #86 |
| 2023 | 17.12% | +3.19% | #90 |
| 2022 | 13.94% | −0.08% | #80 |
| 2021 | 14.02% | −0.58% | #84 |
| 2020 | 14.60% | −0.98% | #88 |
| 2019 | 15.58% | +3.09% | #86 |
| 2018 | 12.49% | +0.29% | #75 |
| 2017 | 12.20% | +0.44% | #74 |
| 2016 | 11.76% | +1.10% | #72 |
| 2015 | 10.66% | −0.19% | #62 |
| 2014 | 10.86% | −0.31% | #62 |
| 2013 | 11.16% | −1.22% | #61 |
| 2012 | 12.38% | +5.47% | #66 |
| 2011 | 6.91% | −0.77% | #48 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw short-term debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's short-term debt was 17.04% in 2025. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 5.4% increase from the previous year.
Jamaica's short-term debt peaked at 19.45% in 1999.
The lowest short-term debt in Jamaica was 0.00% in 1971.
Jamaica ranks 34th globally in short-term debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Jamaica's short-term debt is projected to reach 17.04% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The short-term debt of Jamaica in 2025 was 17.04%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_short-term-debt,
title = {Jamaica Short-term Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/short-term-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}