Short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean
Latin America & Caribbean: Short-term debt was 29.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean, 1972–2024
Source: World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total reserves.
Analysis
The most recent figure for short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean is 29.5%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 3.6% on the previous year and up 7.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean peaked at 118.1% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 21.3%, in 2009.
That places Latin America & Caribbean 24th out of 32 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean, year by year
| Year | % of total reserves | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 66.0% | — |
| 1973 | 50.4% | -23.6% |
| 1992 | 109.6% | +117.5% |
| 1993 | 103.4% | -5.6% |
| 1994 | 118.1% | +14.2% |
| 1995 | 102.4% | -13.3% |
| 1996 | 84.1% | -17.9% |
| 1997 | 85.5% | +1.7% |
| 1998 | 83.1% | -2.8% |
| 1999 | 80.8% | -2.8% |
| 2000 | 76.0% | -5.9% |
| 2001 | 61.6% | -19.0% |
| 2002 | 59.7% | -3.0% |
| 2003 | 56.5% | -5.4% |
| 2004 | 51.6% | -8.7% |
| 2005 | 49.6% | -3.9% |
| 2006 | 38.2% | -23.0% |
| 2007 | 28.5% | -25.3% |
| 2008 | 24.5% | -14.1% |
| 2009 | 21.3% | -13.1% |
| 2010 | 26.1% | +22.4% |
| 2011 | 22.1% | -15.1% |
| 2012 | 22.6% | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 26.4% | +17.0% |
| 2014 | 27.4% | +3.8% |
| 2015 | 29.2% | +6.5% |
| 2016 | 24.0% | -17.6% |
| 2017 | 24.1% | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 29.5% | +22.3% |
| 2019 | 31.4% | +6.5% |
| 2020 | 24.5% | -22.1% |
| 2021 | 25.5% | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 27.9% | +9.5% |
| 2023 | 30.6% | +9.8% |
| 2024 | 29.5% | -3.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 58.2% | 50.4% | 66.0% | 2 |
| 1990s | 95.9% | 80.8% | 118.1% | 8 |
| 2000s | 46.8% | 21.3% | 76.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.3% | 22.1% | 31.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 27.6% | 24.5% | 30.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Latin America & Caribbean
- 21 Zambia 68.3% compare
- 22 Fiji 65.8% compare
- 23 North Macedonia 60.5% compare
- 24 Bangladesh 60.5% compare
- 25 Ghana 58.6% compare
- 26 Lebanon 57.2% compare
- 27 Tanzania, United Republic of 56.1% compare
More economy & growth data for Latin America & Caribbean
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 4.28 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 1,782 current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 2.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 0.1354 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 1,502 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 7,621 current US$ per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 6,410 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 2.5 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 0.1607 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 0.6869 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Short-term debt in Latin America & Caribbean was 29.5% in 2024, according to World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest short-term debt recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The highest recorded value was 118.1% in 1994.
- What is the lowest short-term debt recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.3% in 2009.
- How does Latin America & Caribbean rank for short-term debt?
- Latin America & Caribbean ranks 24th out of 32 groups with data for 2024.
- Is short-term debt rising or falling in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Latin America & Caribbean data come from?
- The figures come from World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB), published as part of Short-term debt (% of total reserves). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Total reserves includes gold.