Nepal External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Nepal's external debt to gni was 23.35% in 2025, ranked 100th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Nepal's external debt to gni stood at 23.35% in 2025, a rise of +0.07pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.35% by 2025. Nepal ranked 100th globally.
Since 1970 Nepal’s external debt to gross national income has risen from a trough of 0.44% to an all‑time peak of 60.01% in 1999, before receding to a latest 2025 level of 23.35%, placing the country 100th in the world. The 56‑year coverage shows a long‑term upward trajectory punctuated by the dramatic surge of the late 1990s, a period marked by extensive infrastructure borrowing and external shocks. By 2025 Nepal’s ratio is virtually identical to that of Bangladesh (23.36%) and only slightly below Mexico (24.11%), suggesting a convergence with other emerging economies that have similarly leveraged external financing for development. The decline from the 1999 peak reflects tighter fiscal consolidation and debt‑service management, yet the current level remains elevated relative to the 1970 trough. Continued improvement will depend on sustaining fiscal discipline, expanding export earnings and attracting concessional financing, which could further lower the debt‑to‑GNI ratio in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 23.37% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 23.36% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 23.35% | - | - |
| 2025 | 23.35% | +0.07pp | #100 |
| 2024 | 23.27% | −0.76pp | #18 |
| 2023 | 24.04% | +1.87pp | #17 |
| 2022 | 22.17% | −1.59pp | #17 |
| 2021 | 23.76% | +0.39pp | #15 |
| 2020 | 23.37% | +4.51pp | #16 |
| 2019 | 18.86% | +2.33pp | #14 |
| 2018 | 16.54% | −0.43pp | #11 |
| 2017 | 16.96% | −0.34pp | #13 |
| 2016 | 17.30% | +0.53pp | #14 |
| 2015 | 16.77% | −0.49pp | #15 |
| 2014 | 17.26% | −0.73pp | #19 |
| 2013 | 17.99% | +0.55pp | #19 |
| 2012 | 17.43% | −0.22pp | #17 |
| 2011 | 17.65% | −5.84pp | #19 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's external debt to gni was 23.35% in 2025. Ranked 100th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Nepal's external debt to gni peaked at 60.01% in 1999.
The lowest external debt to gni in Nepal was 0.44% in 1970.
Nepal ranks 100th 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.
Nepal's external debt to gni is projected to reach 23.35% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Nepal in 2025 was 23.35%. This ranks 100th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Nepal External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}