Zimbabwe External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Zimbabwe's external debt was $15.0B in 2025, ranked 57th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Zimbabwe's external debt stood at $15.0B in 2025, a rise of +$592.9M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $15.0B by 2025. Zimbabwe ranked 57th globally.
Zimbabwe’s external debt has risen dramatically over the 56‑year series, expanding from a modest 232,362,560.00 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 14,996,643,793.32 in 2025, where it ranks 57th globally. The trough of 143,900,096.40 in 1976 underscores how the debt trajectory has been largely upward, reflecting recurring fiscal pressures, currency instability and reliance on external financing. By 2025 the stock of external obligations surpasses those of peer economies such as Honduras (14,759,017,867.13) and approaches the levels of Jamaica (15,330,220,364.04) and Benin (15,335,389,212.72). The steep accumulation since the late 1990s coincides with periods of hyperinflation and debt‑service defaults, suggesting that without substantial structural reforms, debt sustainability will remain precarious. Continued improvement in fiscal discipline, diversification of export earnings and successful debt‑relief negotiations could alter the current upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $15.6B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $15.3B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $15.0B | - | - |
| 2025 | $15.0B | +$592.9M | #57 |
| 2024 | $14.4B | −$144.8M | #64 |
| 2023 | $14.5B | +$427.8M | #63 |
| 2022 | $14.1B | +$9.7M | #63 |
| 2021 | $14.1B | +$1.1B | #64 |
| 2020 | $13.0B | +$493.3M | #62 |
| 2019 | $12.5B | −$443.4M | #64 |
| 2018 | $13.0B | +$119.8M | #67 |
| 2017 | $12.9B | +$1.0B | #68 |
| 2016 | $11.8B | +$1.8B | #71 |
| 2015 | $10.0B | +$1.3B | #65 |
| 2014 | $8.7B | −$70.9M | #63 |
| 2013 | $8.7B | −$469.4M | #67 |
| 2012 | $9.2B | +$1.5B | #70 |
| 2011 | $7.7B | +$645.9M | #66 |
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 improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zimbabwe's external debt was $15.0B in 2025. Ranked 57th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from the previous year.
Zimbabwe's external debt peaked at $15.0B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Zimbabwe was $143.9M in 1976.
Zimbabwe ranks 57th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zimbabwe's external debt is projected to reach $15.0B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Zimbabwe's external debt was approximately 15 billion ($15.0B) in 2025.
The external debt of Zimbabwe in 2025 was $15.0B. This ranks 57th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zimbabwe_external-debt,
title = {Zimbabwe External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zimbabwe/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}