Papua New Guinea Government Debt to GDP
General government gross debt as % of GDP GGXWDG_NGDP
Papua New Guinea's government debt to gdp was 50.36% in 2025, ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1994–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's government debt to gdp stood at 50.36% in 2025, a decline of +1.72% from 2024. The IMF projects 50.36% by 2025. Papua New Guinea ranked 102nd globally.
Papua New Guinea's government debt to GDP ratio has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past three decades. The country's debt burden peaked in 2023 at 53.86 percent, a stark contrast to its all-time low of 16.28 percent in 2011. Notably, Papua New Guinea's current debt to GDP ratio of 50.36 percent ranks 102 globally, trailing behind its peer Benin at 50.74 percent. This substantial increase is largely attributed to the country's heightened spending and reliance on foreign assistance. The trajectory of Papua New Guinea's debt is of particular concern as it indicates a reliance on external funding to finance its budget. Australia, a peer country with a similar economic profile, has managed to maintain a relatively stable debt to GDP ratio of 51.04 percent. To reverse the trend, Papua New Guinea would need to prioritize fiscal discipline, implement structural reforms, and diversify its revenue streams, reducing its reliance on external funding and stabilizing its debt trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Debt to GDP | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 40.23% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 42.73% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 45.03% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 47.27% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 49.99% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 50.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 50.36% | −1.72% | #102 |
| 2024 | 52.08% | −1.78% | #88 |
| 2023 | 53.86% | +5.67% | #93 |
| 2022 | 48.19% | −4.39% | #74 |
| 2021 | 52.58% | +3.90% | #83 |
| 2020 | 48.68% | +10.47% | #71 |
| 2019 | 38.22% | +1.54% | #53 |
| 2018 | 36.68% | +4.19% | #52 |
| 2017 | 32.48% | −1.26% | #42 |
| 2016 | 33.74% | +3.81% | #51 |
| 2015 | 29.93% | +3.04% | #47 |
| 2014 | 26.90% | +2.01% | #50 |
| 2013 | 24.89% | +5.77% | #48 |
| 2012 | 19.12% | +2.85% | #30 |
| 2011 | 16.28% | −1.01% | #25 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Papua New Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government debt to gdp improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's government debt to gdp was 50.36% in 2025. Ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's government debt to gdp peaked at 53.86% in 2023.
The lowest government debt to gdp in Papua New Guinea was 16.28% in 2011.
Papua New Guinea ranks 102nd globally in government debt to gdp as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXWDG_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Papua New Guinea's government debt to gdp is projected to reach 50.36% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The government debt to gdp of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 50.36%. This ranks 102nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_government-debt-to-gdp,
title = {Papua New Guinea Government Debt to GDP},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/government-debt-to-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}