Samoa External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Samoa's external debt to gni was 36.16% in 2025, ranked 69th globally. This represents a 3.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Samoa's external debt to gni stood at 36.16% in 2025, a decline of +1.40pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 36.16% by 2025. Samoa ranked 69th globally.
Samoa's external debt to Gross National Income (GNI) ratio has exhibited a fluctuating trend over the past 56 years. The country's debt burden peaked in 1995 at 81.58% of GNI, with the trough occurring in 1971 at 4.67%. Since then, Samoa's external debt has continued to rise, reaching 36.16% of GNI in 2025, ranking 69th globally. A comparison with peer countries suggests that Samoa's debt ratio is relatively manageable, with Belize boasting a slightly higher ratio of 36.37% and Vanuatu having a lower ratio of 35.87%. The steady decline in Samoa's external debt ratio since its peak in the mid-1990s may indicate a more stable economic trajectory, although the ongoing impact of climate change and natural disasters could potentially alter this trend. If Samoa can sustain its economic growth momentum and implement effective debt management strategies, it may be able to further reduce its external debt ratio in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 25.57% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 30.86% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 36.16% | - | - |
| 2025 | 36.16% | −1.40pp | #69 |
| 2024 | 37.56% | −9.22pp | #42 |
| 2023 | 46.78% | −11.15pp | #61 |
| 2022 | 57.93% | −3.04pp | #77 |
| 2021 | 60.97% | +4.04pp | #75 |
| 2020 | 56.93% | +7.35pp | #67 |
| 2019 | 49.58% | −3.00pp | #66 |
| 2018 | 52.57% | −2.52pp | #73 |
| 2017 | 55.10% | +1.28pp | #75 |
| 2016 | 53.81% | −3.91pp | #76 |
| 2015 | 57.72% | −5.35pp | #84 |
| 2014 | 63.07% | +2.33pp | #89 |
| 2013 | 60.74% | +4.08pp | #89 |
| 2012 | 56.67% | +5.24pp | #84 |
| 2011 | 51.43% | +2.20pp | #80 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Samoa matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Samoa's external debt to gni was 36.16% in 2025. Ranked 69th globally. This represents a 3.7% decrease from the previous year.
Samoa's external debt to gni peaked at 81.58% in 1995.
The lowest external debt to gni in Samoa was 4.67% in 1971.
Samoa ranks 69th 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.
Samoa's external debt to gni is projected to reach 36.16% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Samoa in 2025 was 36.16%. This ranks 69th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_samoa_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Samoa External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/samoa/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}