Myanmar External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Myanmar's external debt was $10.8B in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 3.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Myanmar's external debt stood at $10.8B in 2025, a decline of +$385.7M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $10.8B by 2025. Myanmar ranked 71st globally.
Myanmar’s external debt has risen sharply from a modest 163,680,999.50 in 1970 to 10,789,156,077.38 in 2025, placing it 71st globally. The debt trajectory accelerated after the early 2000s, reaching an all‑time peak of 13,756,717,822.10 in 2021 before easing to the current level. This pattern mirrors that of Nepal, whose external debt stands at 10,905,472,407.49, indicating similar financing pressures in the region. Over the 56‑year coverage period, the increase reflects a combination of infrastructure borrowing, currency devaluation and heightened reliance on external lenders amid political and economic instability. While the 2025 figure remains below the 2021 apex, the debt‑to‑GDP ratio suggests limited fiscal space, and any resurgence in external borrowing or adverse external shocks could reverse the modest recent decline. Continued prudent debt management and diversification of financing sources will be crucial to contain the upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $9.6B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $10.2B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $10.8B | - | - |
| 2025 | $10.8B | −$385.7M | #71 |
| 2024 | $11.2B | −$985.2M | #54 |
| 2023 | $12.2B | −$375.3M | #58 |
| 2022 | $12.5B | −$1.2B | #60 |
| 2021 | $13.8B | +$351.4M | #62 |
| 2020 | $13.4B | +$2.2B | #64 |
| 2019 | $11.2B | +$450.6M | #61 |
| 2018 | $10.7B | −$52.4M | #62 |
| 2017 | $10.8B | +$671.5M | #63 |
| 2016 | $10.1B | −$107.4M | #64 |
| 2015 | $10.2B | +$170.6M | #66 |
| 2014 | $10.0B | +$132.7M | #68 |
| 2013 | $9.9B | −$1.1B | #70 |
| 2012 | $11.0B | +$207.8M | #74 |
| 2011 | $10.8B | +$835.5M | #74 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Myanmar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2009. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Myanmar's external debt was $10.8B in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 3.5% decrease from the previous year.
Myanmar's external debt peaked at $13.8B in 2021.
The lowest external debt in Myanmar was $163.7M in 1970.
Myanmar ranks 71st globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Myanmar's external debt is projected to reach $10.8B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Myanmar's external debt was approximately 10.79 billion ($10.8B) in 2025.
The external debt of Myanmar in 2025 was $10.8B. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_myanmar_external-debt,
title = {Myanmar External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/myanmar/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}