Vanuatu External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Vanuatu's external debt was $520.3M in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2025.
Overview
Vanuatu's external debt stood at $520.3M in 2025, a rise of +$390,707 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $520.3M by 2025. Vanuatu ranked 115th globally.
Vanuatu’s external debt has risen dramatically over the 45‑year series, expanding from a modest US$3,008,900.00 in 1981 to an all‑time peak of US$520,267,251.17 in 2025, placing the nation at rank 115 globally. This increase reflects a long‑term accumulation of borrowing for infrastructure, climate‑resilience projects and debt‑service obligations, outpacing many small island peers. For comparison, neighboring Solomon Islands carries a higher stock of US$662,398,757.33, while Comoros holds a lower level of US$414,663,747.22, underscoring Vanuatu’s position in the mid‑range of regional debt burdens. The steep upward trajectory, especially after the early 2000s, suggests that external financing remains a central pillar of fiscal policy, but also raises concerns about debt sustainability amid vulnerability to natural disasters and limited export diversification. Continued efforts to diversify revenue sources and strengthen fiscal buffers will be crucial to moderating the debt trajectory and averting a potential reversal of the current growth pattern.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $551.0M | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $535.6M | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $520.3M | - | - |
| 2025 | $520.3M | +$390,707 | #115 |
| 2024 | $519.9M | +$49.2M | #6 |
| 2023 | $470.7M | +$7.2M | #6 |
| 2022 | $463.4M | −$13.3M | #5 |
| 2021 | $476.7M | +$36.8M | #6 |
| 2020 | $439.9M | +$15.2M | #6 |
| 2019 | $424.7M | +$22.5M | #7 |
| 2018 | $402.2M | +$816,623 | #7 |
| 2017 | $401.4M | +$108.0M | #7 |
| 2016 | $293.4M | +$36.6M | #6 |
| 2015 | $256.8M | +$53.5M | #6 |
| 2014 | $203.3M | +$44.8M | #5 |
| 2013 | $158.5M | −$23.7M | #3 |
| 2012 | $182.2M | +$3.8M | #2 |
| 2011 | $178.4M | +$788,338 | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Vanuatu matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanuatu's external debt was $520.3M in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Vanuatu's external debt peaked at $520.3M in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Vanuatu was $3.0M in 1981.
Vanuatu ranks 115th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Vanuatu's external debt is projected to reach $520.3M by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Vanuatu's external debt was approximately 520.27 million ($520.3M) in 2025.
The external debt of Vanuatu in 2025 was $520.3M. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_vanuatu_external-debt,
title = {Vanuatu External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/vanuatu/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}