Policy Papers

Debt Vulnerabilities in Low-Income Countries Recent Developments and Trends

October 31, 2025

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International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department "Debt Vulnerabilities in Low-Income Countries Recent Developments and Trends", Policy Papers 2025, 038 (2025), accessed November 2, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229029261.007

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Summary

Despite significant efforts to unwind the impact of the COVID-19 fiscal stimulus and other shocks, debt levels in many Low-Income Countries (LICs) remain relatively high, with debt vulnerabilities exacerbated by uncertain global conditions and a changing creditor landscape. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to provide factual data and insights on recent trends in public debt vulnerabilities and financing challenges in LICs, with a special focus on domestic debt issues. The evidence presented, particularly on the ever more important role of domestic debt as a source of public financing, highlights the importance of the continued work of the IMF and the World Bank to monitor debt vulnerabilities and support countries through a combination of policy advice, financial resources, and capacity building. Furthermore, the scale of identified vulnerabilities reinforces the need for strong debt management and enhanced debt transparency to sustain good relations with creditors and underpin sound financing decisions.

Subject: Debt burden, Debt service, Debt sustainability, Debt sustainability analysis, Domestic debt, External debt, Public debt

Keywords: Debt burden, Debt burden, Debt burden indicator, Debt service, Debt service, Debt sustainability, Debt sustainability, Debt sustainability analysis, Debt transparency, Debt vulnerability, Domestic debt, Domestic debt, Financing needs, Global, IMF-World Bank LIC-DSF, IMF-World Bank LIC-DSF database, Sub-Saharan Africa

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