Timor-Leste External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Timor-Leste's external debt to gni was 15.74% in 2025, ranked 107th globally. This represents a 2.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2012–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's external debt to gni stood at 15.74% in 2025, a rise of +0.37pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 15.74% by 2025. Timor-Leste ranked 107th globally.
Timor‑Leste’s external debt as a share of gross national income has risen sharply over the fourteen‑year series, moving from a low of 1.76 % in 2012 to a peak of 15.73 % in 2025, the latter placing the country at 107th in the world rankings. This acceleration reflects a combination of increased borrowing to finance infrastructure and social programmes, alongside a modest expansion of GNI that has not kept pace with the debt accumulation. By contrast, peer economies such as Myanmar (16.58 % in 2025) and Chad (13.68 % in 2025) exhibit similar debt burdens, suggesting that small, developing states often resort to external financing when domestic revenue bases are limited. The upward trajectory signals heightened vulnerability to external shocks, as a larger debt service share could crowd out fiscal space for development spending. Continued consolidation of public finances and diversification of revenue sources will be crucial if Timor‑Leste seeks to stabilise or reverse the current debt‑to‑GNI trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 18.87% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 17.30% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 15.74% | - | - |
| 2025 | 15.74% | +0.37pp | #107 |
| 2024 | 15.37% | +2.81pp | #10 |
| 2023 | 12.56% | +3.14pp | #6 |
| 2022 | 9.42% | +1.38pp | #5 |
| 2021 | 8.04% | −1.74pp | #3 |
| 2020 | 9.79% | +2.70pp | #3 |
| 2019 | 7.09% | +0.02pp | #3 |
| 2018 | 7.07% | +1.55pp | #3 |
| 2017 | 5.52% | +1.87pp | #3 |
| 2016 | 3.64% | −0.54pp | #3 |
| 2015 | 4.19% | +1.06pp | #3 |
| 2014 | 3.13% | +0.97pp | #3 |
| 2013 | 2.16% | +0.39pp | #2 |
| 2012 | 1.76% | – | #2 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Timor-Leste matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. 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
Timor-Leste's external debt to gni was 15.74% in 2025. Ranked 107th globally. This represents a 2.4% increase from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's external debt to gni peaked at 15.74% in 2025.
The lowest external debt to gni in Timor-Leste was 1.76% in 2012.
Timor-Leste ranks 107th 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.
Timor-Leste's external debt to gni is projected to reach 15.74% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Timor-Leste in 2025 was 15.74%. This ranks 107th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Timor-Leste External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}