Short-term debt in South Asia
South Asia: Short-term debt was 23.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Short-term debt in South Asia, 1970–2024
Source: World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total reserves.
Analysis
The most recent figure for short-term debt in South Asia is 23.1%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 3.4% on the previous year and down 13.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, short-term debt in South Asia peaked at 126.8% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 6.2%, in 2004.
South Asia ranks 29th of 32 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Short-term debt in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % of total reserves | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 30.1% | — |
| 1971 | 28.1% | -6.7% |
| 1972 | 23.5% | -16.3% |
| 1973 | 23.3% | -0.8% |
| 1974 | 19.9% | -14.6% |
| 1975 | 24.1% | +21.0% |
| 1976 | 14.2% | -41.0% |
| 1977 | 9.3% | -34.8% |
| 1978 | 9.3% | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 7.4% | -20.1% |
| 1980 | 13.3% | +79.2% |
| 1981 | 23.1% | +74.2% |
| 1982 | 32.3% | +39.9% |
| 1983 | 42.0% | +30.1% |
| 1984 | 42.2% | +0.4% |
| 1985 | 45.4% | +7.4% |
| 1986 | 46.0% | +1.3% |
| 1987 | 46.4% | +1.0% |
| 1988 | 64.4% | +38.8% |
| 1989 | 86.7% | +34.6% |
| 1990 | 126.8% | +46.4% |
| 1991 | 75.6% | -40.4% |
| 1992 | 52.5% | -30.5% |
| 1993 | 20.8% | -60.5% |
| 1994 | 16.7% | -19.8% |
| 1995 | 20.6% | +23.7% |
| 1996 | 25.2% | +22.4% |
| 1997 | 17.4% | -31.2% |
| 1998 | 13.8% | -20.4% |
| 1999 | 12.8% | -7.5% |
| 2000 | 10.0% | -21.4% |
| 2001 | 7.4% | -26.2% |
| 2002 | 7.4% | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 7.1% | -5.2% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | -11.6% |
| 2005 | 7.1% | +14.5% |
| 2006 | 14.5% | +103.0% |
| 2007 | 13.5% | -6.7% |
| 2008 | 18.2% | +34.5% |
| 2009 | 17.3% | -4.7% |
| 2010 | 19.2% | +10.7% |
| 2011 | 26.3% | +37.0% |
| 2012 | 31.3% | +19.1% |
| 2013 | 31.3% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 26.8% | -14.4% |
| 2015 | 24.2% | -9.8% |
| 2016 | 24.3% | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 25.1% | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 27.1% | +8.0% |
| 2019 | 24.4% | -10.0% |
| 2020 | 18.9% | -22.5% |
| 2021 | 20.3% | +7.3% |
| 2022 | 25.4% | +24.8% |
| 2023 | 22.3% | -12.0% |
| 2024 | 23.1% | +3.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 18.9% | 7.4% | 30.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 44.2% | 13.3% | 86.7% | 10 |
| 1990s | 38.2% | 12.8% | 126.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 10.9% | 6.2% | 18.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.0% | 19.2% | 31.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.0% | 18.9% | 25.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 26 Lebanon 57.2% compare
- 27 Tanzania, United Republic of 56.1% compare
- 28 Nigeria 55.0% compare
- 29 Pakistan 52.2% compare
- 30 Lao People's Democratic Republic 49.6% compare
- 31 Cape Verde 49.6% compare
- 32 Viet Nam 44.6% compare
More economy & growth data for South Asia
- Manufacturing, value added 686.25 billion constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- Imports of goods and services 23.5% (2025)
- External balance on goods and services -2.4% (2025)
- Trade 44.6% (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.9136 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 587.10 billion constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 2.4% (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current US$), per capita 2,472 current US$ per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per unit 0.8393 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added 25.9% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is short-term debt in South Asia?
- Short-term debt in South Asia was 23.1% in 2024, according to World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest short-term debt recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 126.8% in 1990.
- What is the lowest short-term debt recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.2% in 2004.
- How does South Asia rank for short-term debt?
- South Asia ranks 29th out of 32 groups with data for 2024.
- Is short-term debt rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia 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.