Trinidad and Tobago Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Trinidad and Tobago's interest payments to revenue was 13.15% in 2019, ranked 113th globally. This represents a 31.4% increase from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2019.
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago's interest payments to revenue stood at 13.15% in 2019, a rise of +3.14pp from 2018. Trinidad and Tobago ranked 113th globally.
Trinidad and Tobago’s interest payments as a share of revenue have risen sharply since the late 1970s, moving from a low of 1.86 % in 1976 to a peak of 16.44 % in 2002, before settling at 13.15 % in 2019, which placed the country 113th globally. The long‑term upward trajectory reflects persistent fiscal pressures from high public‑debt servicing costs, a pattern echoed in peer economies such as Iceland (13.07 % in 2019) and South Africa (13.23 % in 2019). Although the 2019 figure remains below the all‑time high, it is markedly above the trough of 1.47 % recorded in 1977, indicating that interest burdens have become a structural component of the budget. Continued reliance on external borrowing and limited diversification of revenue sources could keep the ratio elevated, while successful debt restructuring or stronger fiscal consolidation would be required to reverse the current upward bias.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 13.15% | +3.14pp | #113 |
| 2018 | 10.01% | +1.94pp | #94 |
| 2017 | 8.07% | −2.18pp | #90 |
| 2016 | 10.25% | +4.66pp | #101 |
| 2015 | 5.59% | +0.57pp | #72 |
| 2014 | 5.02% | +0.02pp | #65 |
| 2013 | 5.00% | −0.62pp | #58 |
| 2012 | 5.63% | −0.47pp | #71 |
| 2011 | 6.10% | −0.98pp | #75 |
| 2010 | 7.07% | −1.34pp | #77 |
| 2009 | 8.41% | +3.38pp | #80 |
| 2008 | 5.03% | −1.44pp | #61 |
| 2007 | 6.47% | +0.39pp | #63 |
| 2006 | 6.09% | −2.15pp | #54 |
| 2005 | 8.23% | −2.72pp | #61 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2014. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Trinidad and Tobago's interest payments to revenue was 13.15% in 2019. Ranked 113th globally. This represents a 31.4% increase from the previous year.
Trinidad and Tobago's interest payments to revenue peaked at 16.44% in 2002.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Trinidad and Tobago was 1.47% in 1977.
Trinidad and Tobago ranks 113th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The interest payments to revenue of Trinidad and Tobago in 2019 was 13.15%. This ranks 113th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_trinidad-and-tobago_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Trinidad and Tobago Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/trinidad-and-tobago/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}