Mexico External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Mexico's external debt was $581.3B in 2025, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Mexico's external debt stood at $581.3B in 2025, a decline of +$9.9B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $581.3B by 2025. Mexico ranked 4th globally.
Mexico’s external debt has expanded dramatically from a trough of 7,097,271,963.60 in 1970 to a peak of 617,449,991,504.40 in 2019, reflecting a 87‑fold increase over five decades. The 2025 stock stands at 581,345,185,187.86, ranking fourth globally and remaining close to the 2019 high despite modest recent reductions. Compared with peer economies, Brazil carries a larger burden at 627,065,174,588.05, while Türkiye’s debt is lower at 537,890,539,185.37, illustrating Mexico’s position near the top of the emerging‑market debt ladder. The long‑term upward trajectory has been driven by successive fiscal deficits, reliance on external financing for infrastructure and energy projects, and periodic currency depreciations that raise the dollar‑denominated liability. Although the post‑pandemic period has seen a slight pull‑back, any resurgence in capital inflows or a depreciation of the peso could reverse the modest decline, keeping the debt trajectory upward unless fiscal consolidation measures are intensified.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $570.1B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $575.7B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $581.3B | - | - |
| 2025 | $581.3B | −$9.9B | #4 |
| 2024 | $591.3B | −$4.7B | #114 |
| 2023 | $596.0B | +$10.1B | #115 |
| 2022 | $585.9B | −$15.6B | #118 |
| 2021 | $601.5B | −$15.2B | #118 |
| 2020 | $616.7B | −$763.6M | #119 |
| 2019 | $617.4B | +$15.4B | #119 |
| 2018 | $602.0B | +$23.4B | #119 |
| 2017 | $578.6B | +$33.8B | #119 |
| 2016 | $544.8B | +$6.8B | #119 |
| 2015 | $538.0B | −$6.2B | #118 |
| 2014 | $544.2B | +$40.0B | #115 |
| 2013 | $504.1B | +$71.1B | #116 |
| 2012 | $433.0B | +$81.3B | #115 |
| 2011 | $351.7B | +$39.4B | #114 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mexico matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1999. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mexico's external debt was $581.3B in 2025. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.
Mexico's external debt peaked at $617.4B in 2019.
The lowest external debt in Mexico was $7.1B in 1970.
Mexico ranks 4th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mexico's external debt is projected to reach $581.3B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Mexico's external debt was approximately 581.35 billion ($581.3B) in 2025.
The external debt of Mexico in 2025 was $581.3B. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mexico_external-debt,
title = {Mexico External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mexico/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}