Lao PDR Short-term Debt
Short-term debt as % of total external debt DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS
Lao PDR's short-term debt was 3.73% in 2025, ranked 87th globally. This represents a 39.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's short-term debt stood at 3.73% in 2025, a decline of +2.42% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.73% by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 87th globally.
Lao PDR’s short‑term external debt has remained modest over the 56‑year series, rising from a zero baseline in 1970 to a peak of 10.05 % of gross external debt in 2013 before falling back to 3.73 % in 2025, a level that places the country 87th globally. The all‑time trough of 0.00 % occurred in 2003, underscoring the volatility of the metric in the early 2000s. Compared with peers, Lao PDR’s 2025 figure is slightly lower than Nepal’s 3.92 % and higher than Rwanda’s 3.50 %, indicating a middle‑of‑the‑road position among similarly ranked economies. The post‑2013 decline suggests a gradual consolidation of short‑term liabilities, likely driven by tighter fiscal management and improved access to longer‑term financing. Continued diversification of funding sources and stronger reserve buffers could sustain this downward trajectory, while any resurgence in external borrowing pressures would likely reverse the recent gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Short-term Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.62% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.73% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.73% | −2.42% | #87 |
| 2024 | 6.15% | +5.37% | #43 |
| 2023 | 0.78% | −3.28% | #16 |
| 2022 | 4.06% | −0.54% | #31 |
| 2021 | 4.60% | −0.22% | #33 |
| 2020 | 4.82% | +1.75% | #37 |
| 2019 | 3.07% | +0.54% | #26 |
| 2018 | 2.53% | −2.41% | #23 |
| 2017 | 4.94% | −0.40% | #42 |
| 2016 | 5.34% | −0.74% | #44 |
| 2015 | 6.08% | −2.65% | #43 |
| 2014 | 8.73% | −1.32% | #53 |
| 2013 | 10.05% | +9.23% | #58 |
| 2012 | 0.82% | −0.01% | #10 |
| 2011 | 0.83% | −0.05% | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lao PDR matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw short-term debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's short-term debt was 3.73% in 2025. Ranked 87th globally. This represents a 39.3% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's short-term debt peaked at 10.05% in 2013.
The lowest short-term debt in Lao PDR was 0.00% in 1970.
Lao PDR ranks 87th globally in short-term debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's short-term debt is projected to reach 3.73% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The short-term debt of Lao PDR in 2025 was 3.73%. This ranks 87th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_short-term-debt,
title = {Lao PDR Short-term Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/short-term-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}