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 500.6 USD mn in Jun 2025.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 179.0 USD mn in Jun 2025.
  • Sri Lanka Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 23.5 USD mn in Jun 2025.
  • Its Foreign Portfolio Investment fell by 329.4 USD mn in Jun 2025.
  • The country's External Debt reached 56,068.8 in Jun 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 (%) 40.5 2024 yearly 1991 - 2024
Algeria (%) 1.1 2024 yearly 1970 - 2024
Argentina (%) 43.5 2024 yearly 1994 - 2024
Armenia (%) 62.9 2024 yearly 2000 - 2024
Australia (%) 112.8 2024 yearly 1988 - 2024
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 (%) 42.9 Sep 2025 quarterly Dec 2000 - Sep 2025
Belgium (%) 242.6 2024 yearly 2007 - 2024
Bolivia (%) 33.0 2024 yearly 2006 - 2024
Bosnia and Herzegovina (%) 17.0 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Botswana (%) 7.8 2025 yearly 1995 - 2025
Brazil (%) 27.6 2024 yearly 1992 - 2024
Bulgaria (%) 47.6 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Cambodia (%) 45.4 2024 yearly 2010 - 2024
Canada (%) 146.4 2024 yearly 1990 - 2024
Chile (%) 74.2 2024 yearly 1971 - 2024
China (%) 12.9 2024 yearly 1985 - 2024
Colombia (%) 51.3 2024 yearly 1970 - 2024
Croatia (%) 74.3 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
Cyprus (%) 674.2 2024 yearly 2004 - 2024
Czech Republic (%) 65.4 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Denmark (%) 142.2 2024 yearly 2005 - 2024
Ecuador (%) 48.2 2024 yearly 1970 - 2024
Egypt (%) 44.2 Jun 2025 quarterly Jun 1999 - Jun 2025
Estonia (%) 97.8 2024 yearly 1996 - 2024
European Union (%) 109.7 2024 yearly 2008 - 2024
Finland (%) 203.6 2024 yearly 1991 - 2024
France (%) 250.2 2024 yearly 2004 - 2024
Georgia (%) 73.6 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Germany (%) 147.6 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Ghana (%) 34.4 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Greece (%) 243.3 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
Hong Kong SAR, China (%) 462.1 2024 yearly 2001 - 2024
Hungary (%) 142.9 2024 yearly 2006 - 2024
Iceland (%) 71.9 2024 yearly 1989 - 2024
India (%) 19.1 2025 yearly 1970 - 2025
Indonesia (%) 30.4 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
Iran (%) 0.8 2025 yearly 1994 - 2025
Ireland (%) 544.0 2024 yearly 2002 - 2024
Israel (%) 27.2 2024 yearly 1998 - 2024
Italy (%) 120.8 2024 yearly 2002 - 2024
Ivory Coast (%) 34.4 2022 yearly 1994 - 2022
Japan (%) 108.0 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
Jordan (%) 80.3 2024 yearly 1970 - 2024
Kazakhstan (%) 58.2 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2002 - Sep 2025
Kenya (%) 31.2 2024 yearly 2006 - 2024
South Korea (%) 35.9 2024 yearly 1994 - 2024
Kosovo (%) 40.7 2024 yearly 2007 - 2024
Kuwait (%) 41.5 2024 yearly 2014 - 2024
Kyrgyzstan (%) 70.8 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
Laos (%) 68.7 2024 yearly 1996 - 2024
Latvia (%) 104.4 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2000 - Sep 2025
Lebanon (%) 17.4 2023 yearly 2007 - 2023
Lithuania (%) 77.4 2024 yearly 1996 - 2024
Luxembourg (%) 4,148.6 2024 yearly 2002 - 2024
North Macedonia (%) 78.0 2024 yearly 2004 - 2024
Malawi (%) 60.1 2021 yearly 2006 - 2021
Malaysia (%) 69.9 2024 yearly 2009 - 2024
Malta (%) 836.7 2024 yearly 2004 - 2024
Mauritius (%) 1,221.8 2024 yearly 2009 - 2024
Mexico (%) 32.2 2024 yearly 2002 - 2024
Moldova (%) 56.7 2024 yearly 2000 - 2024
Mongolia (%) 157.9 2024 yearly 1992 - 2024
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 (%) 349.4 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
New Zealand (%) 94.7 2024 yearly 1993 - 2024
Nigeria (%) 18.6 2024 yearly 1985 - 2024
Norway (%) 155.3 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
Pakistan (%) 33.1 2025 yearly 2000 - 2025
Palestinian Territory (%) 15.3 2024 yearly 2012 - 2024
Panama (%) 169.8 2021 yearly 2014 - 2021
Paraguay (%) 58.4 2024 yearly 2000 - 2024
Peru (%) 36.7 2024 yearly 1980 - 2024
Philippines (%) 29.8 2024 yearly 1990 - 2024
Poland (%) 51.8 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Portugal (%) 144.8 2024 yearly 1996 - 2024
Qatar (%) 106.1 2018 yearly 2000 - 2018
Romania (%) 57.5 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Russia (%) 13.3 2024 yearly 1993 - 2024
Serbia (%) 60.5 2024 yearly 2000 - 2024
Singapore (%) 407.1 2024 yearly 2003 - 2024
Slovakia (%) 100.9 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Slovenia (%) 87.9 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
South Africa (%) 42.0 2024 yearly 1985 - 2024
Spain (%) 162.7 2024 yearly 1995 - 2024
Sri Lanka (%) 75.0 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
Sudan (%) 202.2 2021 yearly 2001 - 2021
Sweden (%) 168.1 2024 yearly 1997 - 2024
Switzerland (%) 235.3 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Taiwan, China (%) 27.4 2024 yearly 1999 - 2024
Tajikistan (%) 37.7 2021 yearly 2000 - 2021
Thailand (%) 34.9 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2005 - Sep 2025
Tunisia (%) 83.8 2024 yearly 2002 - 2024
Turkey (%) 38.2 2024 yearly 1989 - 2024

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Sri Lanka Key Series

Government and Public Finance Last Frequency Range
Consolidated Fiscal Balance: % of GDP (%) -4.7 Sep 2025 quarterly Dec 2014 - Sep 2025
Tax Revenue (USD mn) 12,278.866 2024 yearly 1990 - 2024
Tax Revenue: % of GDP (%) 16.8 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
National Government Debt (USD mn) 98,101.8 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
Government Debt: % of GDP (%) 93.0 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
Forecast: Government Expenditure (LKR bn) 5,776.459 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: Foreign (LKR mn) 10,974,344.939 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
Overall Fiscal Surplus/Deficit (LKR mn) -35,815.568 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
Government Expenditure & LR: Recurrent (LKR mn) 1,314,106.280 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
Government Revenue & Grants​: Revenue (LKR mn) 1,505,275.440 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2025
Government Debt: Domestic (LKR mn) 17,595,054.038 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2024
Government Expenditure & Lending Minus Repayments (LR) (LKR mn) 1,434,468.885 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2024
Government Expenditure & LR: Capital & Net Lending (LKR mn) 218,331.171 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2014 - Sep 2024
Foreign Trade Last Frequency Range
Forecast: Exports of Goods Growth (%) 3.626 2028 yearly 1980 - 2028
Trade Balance (USD mn) -730.7 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1982 - Nov 2025
Total Exports (USD mn) 1,047.8 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1982 - Nov 2025
Total Exports Growth (%) 5.4 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1983 - Nov 2025
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) 1,778.5 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1982 - Nov 2025
Total Imports Growth (%) 18.9 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1983 - Nov 2025
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) 227.720 Aug 2025 monthly Jan 1978 - Aug 2025
Total Imports from USA (USD mn) 33.719 Aug 2025 monthly Jan 1978 - Aug 2025
Total Exports to China (USD mn) 26.454 Aug 2025 monthly Jan 2016 - Aug 2025
Total Imports from China (USD mn) 323.156 Aug 2025 monthly Jan 2016 - Aug 2025
Imports: Intermediate Goods: Fuel (LKR mn) 102,097.478 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1995 - Nov 2025
Imports: Intermediate Goods (LKR mn) 291,743.908 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1995 - Nov 2025
Imports: Intermediate Goods: Textiles & Textile Articles (LKR mn) 62,238.604 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1995 - Nov 2025
Imports: Consumer Goods (LKR mn) 159,831.025 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1995 - Nov 2025
Imports: Investment Goods (LKR mn) 93,238.689 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1995 - Nov 2025
Terms of Trade Index: 2010=100 (2010=100) 89.340 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 2010 - Nov 2025
Import Volume Index (IVoI): 2010=100 (2010=100) 159.832 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 2010 - Nov 2025
Export Volume Index (EVoI): 2010=100 (2010=100) 163.915 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 2010 - Nov 2025
Exports: India (USD mn) 860.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Exports: Italy (USD mn) 641.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Exports: Germany (USD mn) 742.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Exports: United States of America (USD mn) 3,321.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Exports: United Kingdom (USD mn) 963.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Imports: India (USD mn) 4,738.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Imports: United Arab Emirates (USD mn) 666.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Imports: Japan (USD mn) 252.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Imports: China (USD mn) 3,285.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Imports: Singapore (USD mn) 871.000 2022 yearly 2003 - 2022
Export Value Index (2015=100) 118.509 2021 yearly 1980 - 2021
Import Value Index (2015=100) 108.993 2021 yearly 1980 - 2021
Balance of Payments Last Frequency Range
Direct Investment Abroad (USD mn) 20.8 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
Current Account Balance (USD mn) 399.6 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 1977 - Sep 2025
Current Account Balance: % of GDP (%) 1.4 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2002 - Sep 2025
Foreign Direct Investment (USD mn) 241.2 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 1977 - Sep 2025
Foreign Direct Investment: % of GDP (%) 0.9 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2002 - Sep 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment (USD mn) 25.584 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment: % of GDP (%) 0.1 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment: Equity Securities (USD mn) -62.3 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
Foreign Portfolio Investment: Debt Securities (USD mn) 87.880 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
External Debt (USD mn) 56,262.1 Sep 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Sep 2025
External Debt: % of GDP (%) 75.0 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
External Debt: Short Term (USD mn) 5,391.9 Sep 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Sep 2025
External Debt: Short Term: % of GDP (%) 11.5 2022 yearly 1998 - 2022
Forecast: Current Account Balance (USD bn) 1.746 2024 yearly 1980 - 2024
Net International Investment Position (USD mn) -53,070.753 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2013 - Sep 2025
BoP: Secondary Income (USD mn) 2,050.924 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Primary Income (PI) (USD mn) -535.699 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Assets (USD mn) -6.896 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Current Account: Credit (USD mn) 7,618.312 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Portfolio Investment (PO) (USD mn) -399.156 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Primary Income: Debit (USD mn) 678.254 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Direct Investment (DI) (USD mn) 20.754 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Services: Credit (USD mn) 1,678.997 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Primary Income: Credit (USD mn) 142.555 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities (USD mn) 14.458 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Direct Investment (DI) (USD mn) 241.172 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Goods (USD mn) -1,904.313 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Capital Account (CP) (USD mn) -2.034 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Secondary Income: Debit (USD mn) 22.847 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Capital Account: Credit (USD mn) 0.121 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Current Account: Debit (USD mn) 7,218.707 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Current & CA: Credit (USD mn) 7,618.433 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Other Investment (OI) (USD mn) 216.613 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Assets: Reserve Assets (RA) (USD mn) 154.893 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Current & Capital Account (USD mn) 397.572 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Current & CA: Debit (USD mn) 7,220.861 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: Secondary Income: Credit (USD mn) 2,073.771 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Goods: Debit (USD mn) 5,627.302 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Goods: Credit (USD mn) 3,722.989 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Other Investment (OI) (USD mn) -252.298 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Services (USD mn) 788.694 Sep 2025 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2025
IIP: Assets (USD mn) 15,255.336 Sep 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Sep 2025
IIP: Liabilities (USD mn) 68,326.089 Sep 2025 quarterly Dec 2012 - Sep 2025
BoP: CA: Goods & Services: Services: Debit (USD mn) 906.117 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2024
BoP: Capital Account: Debit (USD mn) 7.600 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2024
BoP: Current Account (CA) (USD mn) 303.375 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2024
BoP: FA: Liabilities: Portfolio Investment (PO) (USD mn) 146.023 Sep 2024 quarterly Mar 2012 - Sep 2024
BoP: FA: Assets: Financial Derivatives (USD mn) 0.000 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: Errors & Ommissions (USD mn) 192.632 Dec 2018 quarterly Mar 2012 - Dec 2018
International Investment Position (IIP): Net (USD mn) -51,921.770 Sep 2024 quarterly Dec 2012 - Sep 2024
No of Registered Enterprises (Unit) 6,298.000 2022 yearly 1994 - 2022
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) 6,996.058 Oct 2025 monthly Jan 1994 - Oct 2025
Money Supply M2 (USD mn) 45,095.537 Sep 2025 monthly Jan 1994 - Sep 2025
M2 Growth (%) 10.8 Sep 2025 monthly Jan 1995 - Sep 2025
Reserve Requirement Ratio (%) 2.0 Nov 2025 monthly Mar 1997 - Nov 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves (USD mn) 5,943.5 Nov 2025 monthly Dec 1956 - Nov 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves: Months of Import (NA) 3.3 Nov 2025 monthly Jan 1982 - Nov 2025
Gold Reserves (USD mn) 84.548 Nov 2025 monthly Dec 1977 - Nov 2025
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) 60,882.3 Oct 2025 monthly Jan 1996 - Oct 2025
Domestic Credit Growth (%) 11.8 Sep 2025 monthly Jan 1997 - Sep 2025
Household Debt (USD mn) 6,750.1 Dec 2024 quarterly Jun 2010 - Dec 2024
Total Loans (USD mn) 33,660.644 Oct 2025 monthly Dec 1983 - Oct 2025
Total Loans Growth (%) 18.40 Oct 2025 monthly Dec 1984 - Oct 2025
Private Debt: % of Nominal GDP (%) 26.04 Dec 2024 quarterly Dec 2010 - Dec 2024
Official Reserve Assets (ORA) (USD mn) 6,034.009 Nov 2025 monthly Nov 2013 - Nov 2025
ORA: Foreign Currency Reserves in Convertible FC (FCR) (USD mn) 5,943.527 Nov 2025 monthly Nov 2013 - Nov 2025
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) 130.000 Sep 2025 quarterly Jun 2014 - Sep 2025
Purchasing Managers Index: Manufacturing (Index) 57.200 Dec 2024 monthly May 2015 - Dec 2024

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