Uganda External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Uganda's external debt to gni was 37.71% in 2025, ranked 64th globally. This represents a 3.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Uganda's external debt to gni stood at 37.71% in 2025, a decline of +1.51pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 37.71% by 2025. Uganda ranked 64th globally.
Uganda’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio has risen sharply from 12.19 % in 1970 to 37.71 % in 2025, placing the country 64th in the world and closely aligned with peers such as the Central African Republic (38.12 %) and Solomon Islands (37.66 %). The indicator peaked at 106.53 % in 1992, a level that reflected the severe fiscal pressures of structural adjustment programmes in the early 1990s, before falling to a trough of 8.88 % in 1975 during a period of limited external borrowing. Over the 56‑year span, the upward trajectory since the early 2000s mirrors broader trends in sub‑Saharan Africa, where debt servicing costs have risen alongside expanding public investment. Continued fiscal consolidation, diversification of export earnings, and improved debt‑management practices could moderate the upward path, while heightened external shocks or persistent financing gaps would likely sustain or accelerate the current rise.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 32.27% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 34.99% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 37.71% | - | - |
| 2025 | 37.71% | −1.51pp | #64 |
| 2024 | 39.22% | −3.45pp | #47 |
| 2023 | 42.67% | −4.51pp | #52 |
| 2022 | 47.18% | −4.96pp | #60 |
| 2021 | 52.14% | +4.08pp | #59 |
| 2020 | 48.06% | +7.40pp | #50 |
| 2019 | 40.66% | +2.14pp | #53 |
| 2018 | 38.53% | −0.38pp | #52 |
| 2017 | 38.91% | +3.75pp | #56 |
| 2016 | 35.16% | +5.03pp | #46 |
| 2015 | 30.14% | +2.99pp | #40 |
| 2014 | 27.15% | −3.13pp | #41 |
| 2013 | 30.28% | +16.15pp | #50 |
| 2012 | 14.13% | +2.24pp | #13 |
| 2011 | 11.89% | +0.55pp | #9 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's external debt to gni was 37.71% in 2025. Ranked 64th globally. This represents a 3.9% decrease from the previous year.
Uganda's external debt to gni peaked at 106.53% in 1992.
The lowest external debt to gni in Uganda was 8.88% in 1975.
Uganda ranks 64th 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.
Uganda's external debt to gni is projected to reach 37.71% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Uganda in 2025 was 37.71%. This ranks 64th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Uganda External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}