Sri Lanka External Debt: % of GDP

1998 - 2022 | Yearly | % | CEIC Data

Key information about Sri Lanka External Debt: % of GDP

  • Sri Lanka External Debt accounted for 75.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2022, compared with the ratio of 58.9 % in the previous year.
  • Sri Lanka External Debt: % of Nominal GDP data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1998 to Dec 2022.
  • The data reached an all-time high of 75.0 % in Dec 2022 and a record low of 38.8 % in Dec 2008.

CEIC calculates External Debt as % of Nominal GDP from annual External Debt and annual Nominal GDP. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka provides External Debt in local currency based on BPM6. The Department of Census and Statistics provides Nominal GDP in local currency based on SNA 2008. External Debt as % of Nominal GDP prior to 2011 is calculated from External Debt based on BPM5 and Nominal GDP based on SNA 1993. External Debt as % of Nominal GDP prior to 2002 is calculated from Nominal GDP based on SNA 1968.


Related information about Sri Lanka External Debt: % of GDP

  • In the latest reports of Sri Lanka, Current Account recorded a surplus of 399.6 USD mn in Sep 2025.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 241.2 USD mn in Sep 2025.
  • Sri Lanka Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 20.8 USD mn in Sep 2025.
  • Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 25.6 USD mn in Sep 2025.
  • The country's External Debt reached 56,262.1 in Sep 2025.
  • The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 24.6 USD bn in Jun 2025.

View Sri Lanka's External Debt: % of GDP from 1998 to 2022 in the chart:

Sri Lanka External Debt: % of GDP

What was Sri Lanka's External Debt: % of GDP in 2022?

Sri Lanka External Debt accounted for 75.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2022, compared with the ratio of 58.9 % in the previous year. See the table below for more data.

Last Previous Min Max Unit Frequency Range
75.0 2022 58.9 2021 38.8 2008 75.0 2022 % yearly 1998 - 2022

External Debt: % of GDP by Country Comparison

country/region Last Frequency Range
Albania (%) 37.8 2025 yearly 1991 - 2025
Algeria (%) 1.1 2024 yearly 1970 - 2024
Argentina (%) 46.8 2025 yearly 1994 - 2025
Armenia (%) 64.7 2025 yearly 2000 - 2025
Australia (%) 107.2 2025 yearly 1988 - 2025
Austria (%) 154.5 2024 yearly 1997 - 2024
Azerbaijan (%) 14.9 Dec 2021 quarterly Dec 2001 - Dec 2021
Bangladesh (%) 11.4 2017 yearly 1997 - 2017
Belarus (%) 40.7 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2000 - Dec 2025
Belgium (%) 242.8 2025 yearly 2007 - 2025
Bolivia (%) 33.0 2024 yearly 2006 - 2024
Bosnia and Herzegovina (%) 16.4 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Botswana (%) 7.8 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025
Brazil (%) 29.0 2025 yearly 1992 - 2025
Bulgaria (%) 50.5 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Cambodia (%) 45.4 2024 yearly 2010 - 2024
Canada (%) 147.8 2025 yearly 1990 - 2025
Chile (%) 77.6 2025 yearly 1971 - 2025
China (%) 11.9 2025 yearly 1985 - 2025
Colombia (%) 48.0 2024 yearly 1970 - 2024
Croatia (%) 74.3 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
Cyprus (%) 617.2 2025 yearly 2004 - 2025
Czech Republic (%) 66.4 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025
Denmark (%) 142.9 2025 yearly 2005 - 2025
Ecuador (%) 49.6 2025 yearly 1970 - 2025
Egypt (%) 42.4 Sep 2025 quarterly Jun 1999 - Sep 2025
Estonia (%) 100.4 2025 yearly 1996 - 2025
European Union (%) 106.6 2025 yearly 2013 - 2025
Finland (%) 207.2 2025 yearly 1991 - 2025
France (%) 250.2 2024 yearly 2004 - 2024
Georgia (%) 70.3 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Germany (%) 151.3 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Ghana (%) 25.7 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Greece (%) 237.7 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Hong Kong SAR, China (%) 481.9 2025 yearly 2001 - 2025
Hungary (%) 118.0 2025 yearly 2006 - 2025
Iceland (%) 75.3 2025 yearly 1989 - 2025
India (%) 19.1 2025 yearly 1970 - 2025
Indonesia (%) 29.9 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Iran (%) 0.8 2025 yearly 1994 - 2025
Ireland (%) 507.4 2025 yearly 2002 - 2025
Israel (%) 26.9 2025 yearly 1998 - 2025
Italy (%) 120.8 2024 yearly 2002 - 2024
Ivory Coast (%) 34.4 2022 yearly 1994 - 2022
Japan (%) 109.4 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Jordan (%) 74.1 2025 yearly 1970 - 2025
Kazakhstan (%) 59.5 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2002 - Dec 2025
Kenya (%) 31.1 2025 yearly 2006 - 2025
South Korea (%) 41.1 2025 yearly 1994 - 2025
Kosovo (%) 40.7 2024 yearly 2007 - 2024
Kuwait (%) 60.1 2025 yearly 2014 - 2025
Kyrgyzstan (%) 55.4 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Laos (%) 68.7 2024 yearly 1996 - 2024
Latvia (%) 104.1 Mar 2026 quarterly Mar 2000 - Mar 2026
Lebanon (%) 21.3 2023 yearly 2007 - 2023
Lithuania (%) 93.1 2025 yearly 1996 - 2025
Luxembourg (%) 3,937.1 2025 yearly 2002 - 2025
North Macedonia (%) 72.0 2025 yearly 2004 - 2025
Malawi (%) 60.1 2021 yearly 2006 - 2021
Malaysia (%) 68.9 2025 yearly 2009 - 2025
Malta (%) 785.5 2025 yearly 2004 - 2025
Mauritius (%) 1,200.9 2025 yearly 2009 - 2025
Mexico (%) 35.0 2025 yearly 2002 - 2025
Moldova (%) 56.7 2024 yearly 2000 - 2024
Mongolia (%) 159.5 2025 yearly 1992 - 2025
Montenegro (%) 105.7 2024 yearly 2006 - 2024
Morocco (%) 50.8 2022 yearly 1970 - 2022
Mozambique (%) 49.2 2023 yearly 1985 - 2023
Myanmar (%) 18.9 2023 yearly 2018 - 2023
Nepal (%) 17.3 2016 yearly 2001 - 2016
Netherlands (%) 345.3 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
New Zealand (%) 98.2 2025 yearly 1993 - 2025
Nigeria (%) 12.0 2025 yearly 1985 - 2025
Norway (%) 156.3 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Pakistan (%) 33.4 2025 yearly 2000 - 2025
Palestinian Territory (%) 13.1 2024 yearly 2012 - 2024
Panama (%) 167.4 2021 yearly 2014 - 2021
Paraguay (%) 59.8 2025 yearly 2000 - 2025
Peru (%) 33.7 2025 yearly 1980 - 2025
Philippines (%) 30.3 2025 yearly 1990 - 2025
Poland (%) 50.1 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025
Portugal (%) 145.3 2025 yearly 1996 - 2025
Qatar (%) 106.1 2018 yearly 2000 - 2018
Romania (%) 57.5 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Russia (%) 12.5 2025 yearly 1993 - 2025
Serbia (%) 60.5 2024 yearly 2000 - 2024
Singapore (%) 402.2 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Slovakia (%) 100.8 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025
Slovenia (%) 88.9 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025
South Africa (%) 46.9 2025 yearly 1985 - 2025
Spain (%) 162.9 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Sri Lanka (%) 75.0 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
Sudan (%) 202.2 2021 yearly 2001 - 2021
Sweden (%) 155.5 2025 yearly 1997 - 2025
Switzerland (%) 226.4 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Taiwan, China (%) 26.5 2025 yearly 1999 - 2025
Tajikistan (%) 37.7 2021 yearly 2000 - 2021
Thailand (%) 35.4 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2005 - Dec 2025
Tunisia (%) 73.8 2025 yearly 2002 - 2025
Turkey (%) 32.6 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025

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Sri Lanka Key Series

Government and Public Finance Last Frequency Range
Consolidated Fiscal Balance: % of GDP (%) -2.3 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2014 - Dec 2025
Tax Revenue (USD mn) 16,790.031 2025 yearly 1990 - 2025
Tax Revenue: % of GDP (%) 17.1 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
National Government Debt (USD mn) 96,944.7 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Government Debt: % of GDP (%) 91.6 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Forecast: Government Expenditure (LKR bn) 5,712.979 2024 yearly 1990 - 2024
Forecast: Government Net Debt (LKR bn) 30,149.723 2024 yearly 1990 - 2024
Forecast: Government Revenue (LKR bn) 4,090.804 2024 yearly 1990 - 2024
Government Debt: Domestic (LKR mn) 18,675,324.825 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Government Debt: Foreign (LKR mn) 11,319,363.049 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Government Revenue & Grants​: Revenue (LKR mn) 1,622,407.185 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Government Expenditure & Lending Minus Repayments (LR) (LKR mn) 1,954,141.588 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Government Expenditure & LR: Recurrent (LKR mn) 1,411,454.271 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Overall Fiscal Surplus/Deficit (LKR mn) -303,444.890 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Government Expenditure & LR: Capital & Net Lending (LKR mn) 542,687.318 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Dec 2025
Foreign Trade Last Frequency Range
Forecast: Exports of Goods Growth (%) 3.626 2028 yearly 1980 - 2028
Trade Balance (USD mn) -1,382.6 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1982 - Apr 2026
Total Exports (USD mn) 1,074.1 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1982 - Apr 2026
Total Exports Growth (%) 10.9 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1983 - Apr 2026
Aluminum: Exports (USD th) 10,722.129 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Exports: Medicament (USD th) 6,090.751 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Exports: Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Product (USD th) 6,891.315 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Total Imports (USD mn) 2,456.7 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1982 - Apr 2026
Total Imports Growth (%) 45.7 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1983 - Apr 2026
Imports: Medicament (USD th) 358,932.953 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Imports: Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Product (USD th) 180,310.512 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Total Exports to USA (USD mn) 200.928 Feb 2026 monthly Jan 1978 - Feb 2026
Total Imports from USA (USD mn) 57.028 Feb 2026 monthly Jan 1978 - Feb 2026
Total Exports to China (USD mn) 27.676 Feb 2026 monthly Jan 2016 - Feb 2026
Total Imports from China (USD mn) 350.452 Feb 2026 monthly Jan 2016 - Feb 2026
Exports: Germany (USD mn) 707.272 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Exports: Italy (USD mn) 678.463 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Exports: India (USD mn) 1,041.485 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Exports: United States of America (USD mn) 3,000.471 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Exports: United Kingdom (USD mn) 930.224 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Imports: India (USD mn) 4,377.890 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Imports: Singapore (USD mn) 1,062.296 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Imports: China (USD mn) 5,160.240 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Imports: United Arab Emirates (USD mn) 1,556.240 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Imports: Japan (USD mn) 1,124.624 2025 yearly 2003 - 2025
Imports: Intermediate Goods: Fuel (LKR mn) 280,427.252 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1995 - Apr 2026
Imports: Intermediate Goods (LKR mn) 477,920.371 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1995 - Apr 2026
Imports: Investment Goods (LKR mn) 123,986.929 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1995 - Apr 2026
Imports: Consumer Goods (LKR mn) 175,018.266 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1995 - Apr 2026
Imports: Intermediate Goods: Textiles & Textile Articles (LKR mn) 60,594.105 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1995 - Apr 2026
Terms of Trade Index: 2010=100 (2010=100) 73.788 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 2010 - Apr 2026
Import Volume Index (IVoI): 2010=100 (2010=100) 213.708 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 2010 - Apr 2026
Export Volume Index (EVoI): 2010=100 (2010=100) 196.918 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 2010 - Apr 2026
Import Value Index (2015=100) 88.800 2023 yearly 1980 - 2023
Export Value Index (2015=100) 112.900 2023 yearly 1980 - 2023
Balance of Payments Last Frequency Range
Direct Investment Abroad (USD mn) 36.0 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
Current Account Balance (USD mn) -133.9 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 1977 - Dec 2025
Current Account Balance: % of GDP (%) -0.5 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2002 - Dec 2025
Foreign Direct Investment (USD mn) 496.4 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 1977 - Dec 2025
Foreign Direct Investment: % of GDP (%) 1.7 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2002 - Dec 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment (USD mn) 8.029 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment: % of GDP (%) 0.0 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment: Equity Securities (USD mn) -38.2 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment: Debt Securities (USD mn) 46.232 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
External Debt (USD mn) 54,806.8 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Dec 2025
External Debt: % of GDP (%) 75.0 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
External Debt: Short Term (USD mn) 5,551.2 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Dec 2025
External Debt: Short Term: % of GDP (%) 11.5 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
Forecast: Current Account Balance (USD bn) 1.206 2024 yearly 1980 - 2024
Net International Investment Position (USD mn) -50,918.346 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2013 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Primary Income: Debit (USD mn) 623.385 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Secondary Income (USD mn) 2,231.348 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Primary Income (PI) (USD mn) -500.412 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Current Account: Credit (USD mn) 7,530.857 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Assets (USD mn) 715.917 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Direct Investment (DI) (USD mn) 35.959 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities (USD mn) 1,065.024 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Primary Income: Credit (USD mn) 122.973 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Goods (USD mn) -2,724.192 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Services: Debit (USD mn) 917.787 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Capital Account (CP) (USD mn) -1.371 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Current Account: Debit (USD mn) 7,664.750 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Services: Credit (USD mn) 1,777.150 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Portfolio Investment (PO) (USD mn) -99.796 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Secondary Income: Debit (USD mn) 33.126 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Portfolio Investment (PO) (USD mn) 8.029 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Current Account (CA) (USD mn) -133.893 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Goods: Debit (USD mn) 6,090.453 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Goods: Credit (USD mn) 3,366.261 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Capital Account: Debit (USD mn) 1.372 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Secondary Income: Credit (USD mn) 2,264.474 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Capital Account: Credit (USD mn) 0.000 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Direct Investment (DI) (USD mn) 496.433 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Services (USD mn) 859.363 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Current & Capital Account (USD mn) -135.264 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Current & CA: Credit (USD mn) 7,530.858 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: Current & CA: Debit (USD mn) 7,666.122 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Reserve Assets (RA) (USD mn) 535.602 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Other Investment (OI) (USD mn) 560.561 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Other Investment (OI) (USD mn) 244.151 Dec 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2025
International Investment Position (IIP): Net (USD mn) -50,918.346 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Dec 2025
IIP: Assets (USD mn) 16,070.381 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Dec 2025
IIP: Liabilities (USD mn) 66,988.728 Dec 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Dec 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Errors & Ommissions (USD mn) 192.632 Dec 2018 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2018
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Financial Derivatives (USD mn) 0.000 Dec 2018 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2018
BoP: FA: Assets: Financial Derivatives (USD mn) 0.000 Dec 2018 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2018
No of Registered Enterprises (Unit) 6,980.000 2025 yearly 1994 - 2025
Monetary Last Frequency Range
Non Performing Loans Ratio (%) 4.5 2021 yearly 1998 - 2021
Household Debt: % of GDP (%) 6.6 Dec 2024 quarterly Dec 2010 - Dec 2024
Money Supply M1 (USD mn) 7,412.789 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1994 - Apr 2026
Money Supply M2 (USD mn) 45,944.135 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1994 - Apr 2026
M2 Growth (%) 11.8 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1995 - Apr 2026
Reserve Requirement Ratio (%) 2.0 Nov 2025 monthly Mar 1997 - Nov 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves (USD mn) 6,652.0 May 2026 monthly Dec 1956 - May 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves: Months of Import (NA) 2.7 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1982 - Apr 2026
Gold Reserves (USD mn) 215.820 May 2026 monthly Dec 1977 - May 2026
Total Deposits (USD mn) 57,394.133 Dec 2024 monthly Dec 2002 - Dec 2024
Total Deposits Growth (%) 10.6 Dec 2024 monthly Dec 2003 - Dec 2024
Domestic Credit (USD mn) 60,873.9 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1996 - Apr 2026
Domestic Credit Growth (%) 10.9 Apr 2026 monthly Jan 1997 - Apr 2026
Household Debt (USD mn) 6,750.1 Dec 2024 quarterly Jun 2010 - Dec 2024
Total Loans (USD mn) 35,221.475 Mar 2026 monthly Dec 1983 - Mar 2026
Total Loans Growth (%) 23.75 Mar 2026 monthly Dec 1984 - Mar 2026
Private Debt: % of Nominal GDP (%) 25.87 Dec 2024 quarterly Dec 2010 - Dec 2024
Official Reserve Assets (ORA) (USD mn) 6,872.850 May 2026 monthly Nov 2013 - May 2026
ORA: Foreign Currency Reserves in Convertible FC (FCR) (USD mn) 6,652.000 May 2026 monthly Nov 2013 - May 2026
Commercial Banks: Loans: Personal Loans & Advances (LA) (LKR mn) 1,977,781.000 Dec 2024 quarterly Jun 2010 - Dec 2024
Business and Economic Survey Last Frequency Range
Business Confidence Growth (% Point) 5.8 Oct 2025 monthly May 2016 - Oct 2025
Business Sentiment Index: Business Condition: Current Quarter (Index) 125.000 Dec 2025 quarterly Jun 2014 - Dec 2025
Purchasing Managers Index: Manufacturing (Index) 42.600 Apr 2026 monthly May 2015 - Apr 2026

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