New Zealand Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
New Zealand's interest payments to revenue was 4.86% in 2025, ranked 60th globally. This represents a 2.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's interest payments to revenue stood at 4.86% in 2025, a decline of +0.13pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.86% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 60th globally.
New Zealand’s interest payments to revenue stood at 4.86 % of total revenue in 2025, placing it 60th worldwide and marginally above Georgia’s 4.87 % and below North Macedonia’s 4.59 % (World Bank). The indicator has traversed a 41‑year arc from an early high of 8.64 % in 1972 to an all‑time peak of 19.68 % during the 1986 fiscal year, a period marked by high global borrowing costs and domestic fiscal consolidation. A pronounced trough occurred in 2008, when interest outlays fell to 1.94 % of revenue, reflecting the post‑global‑financial‑crisis decline in interest rates and a relatively modest debt stock. Since the trough, the share of interest payments has risen steadily, driven by incremental debt accumulation and the recent resurgence of global yields. If fiscal prudence curtails new borrowing and the Reserve Bank maintains accommodative policy, the upward trajectory could moderate; however, any reversal in monetary conditions or surge in debt would likely re‑elevate the ratio.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.21% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.86% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.86% | −0.13pp | #60 |
| 2023 | 4.99% | +1.83pp | #43 |
| 2022 | 3.17% | +0.39pp | #40 |
| 2021 | 2.78% | −0.30pp | #35 |
| 2020 | 3.07% | −0.22pp | #41 |
| 2019 | 3.29% | −0.27pp | #43 |
| 2018 | 3.56% | −0.21pp | #40 |
| 2017 | 3.77% | −0.27pp | #43 |
| 2016 | 4.04% | −0.34pp | #48 |
| 2015 | 4.38% | −0.08pp | #54 |
| 2014 | 4.46% | −0.52pp | #58 |
| 2013 | 4.98% | −0.03pp | #56 |
| 2012 | 5.01% | +0.53pp | #63 |
| 2011 | 4.48% | +0.68pp | #57 |
| 2010 | 3.80% | +0.49pp | #44 |
Analysis
New Zealand's interest payments to revenue was 4.86% in 2025, a decline of −0.13pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 4.86% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's interest payments to revenue was 4.86% in 2025. Ranked 60th globally. This represents a 2.7% decrease from the previous year.
New Zealand's interest payments to revenue peaked at 19.68% in 1986.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in New Zealand was 1.94% in 2008.
New Zealand ranks 60th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 4.86% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of New Zealand in 2025 was 4.86%. This ranks 60th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_interest-to-revenue,
title = {New Zealand Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}