Timor-Leste Short-term Debt
Short-term debt as % of total external debt DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS
Timor-Leste's short-term debt was 1.78% in 2025, ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 317.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's short-term debt stood at 1.78% in 2025, a rise of +1.35% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.78% by 2025. Timor-Leste ranked 92nd globally.
Timor‑Leste’s short‑term debt ratio has swung dramatically over the 56‑year series, moving from a zero percent baseline in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 84.37 percent in 2012, before returning to a trough of 0.00 percent in 2016 and stabilising at 1.78 percent in 2025, ranking 92nd globally. The surge to 84.37 percent in 2012 reflected a period of rapid fiscal expansion and external borrowing, while the subsequent collapse to zero in 2016 coincided with stringent debt‑service reforms and a contraction in external financing. Compared with peers, Timor‑Leste’s 2025 figure is marginally lower than Ecuador’s 2.13 percent and slightly above Montenegro’s 1.57 percent, indicating a relatively modest reliance on short‑term obligations. The recent low level suggests improved debt management, but any resurgence in external borrowing or fiscal pressure could reverse the downward trajectory, making future policy choices pivotal for maintaining the current trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Short-term Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.41% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.10% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.78% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.78% | +1.35% | #92 |
| 2024 | 0.43% | −2.63% | #9 |
| 2023 | 3.05% | +2.94% | #30 |
| 2022 | 0.12% | −0.26% | #6 |
| 2021 | 0.38% | +0.19% | #11 |
| 2020 | 0.19% | −0.55% | #7 |
| 2019 | 0.74% | −0.90% | #11 |
| 2018 | 1.64% | −0.75% | #14 |
| 2017 | 2.39% | +2.39% | #21 |
| 2016 | 0.00% | −51.66% | #3 |
| 2015 | 51.66% | −16.67% | #119 |
| 2014 | 68.33% | −10.20% | #117 |
| 2013 | 78.53% | −5.84% | #118 |
| 2012 | 84.37% | +84.37% | #118 |
| 2011 | 0.00% | +0.00% | #4 |
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 short-term debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's short-term debt was 1.78% in 2025. Ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 317.7% increase from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's short-term debt peaked at 84.37% in 2012.
The lowest short-term debt in Timor-Leste was 0.00% in 1970.
Timor-Leste ranks 92nd globally in short-term debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DSTC.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Timor-Leste's short-term debt is projected to reach 1.78% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The short-term debt of Timor-Leste in 2025 was 1.78%. This ranks 92nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_short-term-debt,
title = {Timor-Leste Short-term Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/short-term-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}