Zimbabwe External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Zimbabwe's external debt to gni was 31.00% in 2025, ranked 82nd globally. This represents a 6.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Zimbabwe's external debt to gni stood at 31.00% in 2025, a decline of +1.97pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 31.00% by 2025. Zimbabwe ranked 82nd globally.
Zimbabwe’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio stands at 31.00 % in 2025, placing the country 82nd in the global ranking and closely matching peers such as Mauritania (31.42 %) and Bolivia (30.97 %). The indicator has been recorded for 56 years, rising from a low of 13.29 % in 1970 and reaching an all‑time trough of 3.74 % in 1976, before exploding to a peak of 389.05 % in 2008 during the hyper‑inflation crisis. Since that apex, debt has fallen sharply but remains well above the pre‑crisis level, reflecting persistent fiscal deficits and limited access to concessional financing. The modest decline to the current 31.00 % suggests gradual consolidation, yet any reversal in export earnings or further currency depreciation could stall progress. Continued structural reforms and diversified revenue sources will be crucial to keep the debt‑to‑GNI ratio on a downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 22.15% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 26.58% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 31.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 31.00% | −1.97pp | #82 |
| 2024 | 32.98% | −8.83pp | #32 |
| 2023 | 41.81% | −2.28pp | #51 |
| 2022 | 44.09% | −8.92pp | #56 |
| 2021 | 53.01% | +3.50pp | #61 |
| 2020 | 49.50% | −0.14pp | #52 |
| 2019 | 49.65% | +10.82pp | #67 |
| 2018 | 38.83% | +12.62pp | #55 |
| 2017 | 26.21% | −36.73pp | #28 |
| 2016 | 62.94% | +11.48pp | #81 |
| 2015 | 51.46% | +4.74pp | #79 |
| 2014 | 46.72% | −1.31pp | #78 |
| 2013 | 48.03% | −8.54pp | #80 |
| 2012 | 56.58% | −1.62pp | #83 |
| 2011 | 58.19% | −3.47pp | #93 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zimbabwe matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2024. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zimbabwe's external debt to gni was 31.00% in 2025. Ranked 82nd globally. This represents a 6.0% decrease from the previous year.
Zimbabwe's external debt to gni peaked at 389.05% in 2008.
The lowest external debt to gni in Zimbabwe was 3.74% in 1976.
Zimbabwe ranks 82nd 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.
Zimbabwe's external debt to gni is projected to reach 31.00% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Zimbabwe in 2025 was 31.00%. This ranks 82nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zimbabwe_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Zimbabwe External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zimbabwe/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}