Sri Lanka Short-term Debt
Short-term debt as % of total external debt DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS
Sri Lanka's short-term debt was 9.77% in 2025, ranked 59th globally. This represents a 4.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Sri Lanka's short-term debt stood at 9.77% in 2025, a decline of +0.47% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 9.77% by 2025. Sri Lanka ranked 59th globally.
Sri Lanka's short-term debt has fluctuated significantly over the past five and a half decades, with the latest figure standing at 9.77 percent of its gross national income, placing it 59th globally. At its peak in 2009, the country's short-term debt reached 18.22 percent of its GNI, a level exacerbated by the global financial crisis. Conversely, the all-time low in 1992 was 3.86 percent, reflecting a period of relative economic stability. For context, Colombia, a peer country, recorded a slightly higher short-term debt of 9.88 percent in 2025. Sri Lanka's short-term debt has been trending downward since the peak in 2009, a trend that is likely to be influenced by the country's ongoing efforts to reduce its debt burden and stabilize its economy. A significant improvement in the country's fiscal management and a reduction in its reliance on short-term debt would likely be required to sustain this downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Short-term Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 7.43% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.60% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 9.77% | - | - |
| 2025 | 9.77% | −0.47% | #59 |
| 2024 | 10.24% | −1.81% | #65 |
| 2023 | 12.05% | −2.58% | #74 |
| 2022 | 14.63% | −0.06% | #81 |
| 2021 | 14.69% | −0.08% | #87 |
| 2020 | 14.76% | −0.28% | #90 |
| 2019 | 15.04% | −0.42% | #84 |
| 2018 | 15.46% | −0.32% | #88 |
| 2017 | 15.78% | −0.11% | #85 |
| 2016 | 15.89% | −1.39% | #89 |
| 2015 | 17.27% | −0.06% | #91 |
| 2014 | 17.33% | +0.10% | #85 |
| 2013 | 17.23% | −0.73% | #82 |
| 2012 | 17.96% | +4.10% | #85 |
| 2011 | 13.86% | +2.72% | #74 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sri Lanka matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw short-term debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sri Lanka's short-term debt was 9.77% in 2025. Ranked 59th globally. This represents a 4.6% decrease from the previous year.
Sri Lanka's short-term debt peaked at 18.22% in 2009.
The lowest short-term debt in Sri Lanka was 3.86% in 1992.
Sri Lanka ranks 59th globally in short-term debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sri Lanka's short-term debt is projected to reach 9.77% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The short-term debt of Sri Lanka in 2025 was 9.77%. This ranks 59th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sri-lanka_short-term-debt,
title = {Sri Lanka Short-term Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sri-lanka/short-term-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}