FeaturedHighlightTrending Story

Low income countries’ debt profile rises to all-time high $860bn in 2020 — World Bank report

834

 

“The report noted that even prior to the pandemic, many low- and middle-income countries were in a vulnerable position, with slowing economic growth and public and external debt at elevated levels”

“External debt stocks of low- and middle-income countries combined rose 5.3% in 2020 to $8.7 trillion’

The debt burden of the world’s low-income countries rose by 12 per cent to a record $860 billion in 2020, according to a new World Bank report.

This followed the response of governments around the world to the COVID-19 pandemic with massive fiscal, monetary, and financial stimulus packages.

The measures were aimed at addressing the health emergency, cushioning the impact of the pandemic on the poor and vulnerable and putting countries on a path to recovery.

The report noted that even prior to the pandemic, many low- and middle-income countries were in a vulnerable position, with slowing economic growth and public and external debt at elevated levels.

External debt stocks of low- and middle-income countries combined rose 5.3% in 2020 to $8.7 trillion.

According to the new International Debt Statistics 2022 report, an encompassing approach to managing debt is needed to help low- and middle-income countries assess and curtail risks and achieve sustainable debt levels.

“We need a comprehensive approach to the debt problem, including debt reduction, swifter restructuring and improved transparency,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass.

“Sustainable debt levels are vital for economic recovery and poverty reduction.”

The deterioration in debt indicators was widespread and impacted countries in all regions.

Across all low- and middle-income countries, the rise in external indebtedness outpaced Gross National Income (GNI) and export growth. Low- and middle-income countries’ external debt-to-GNI ratio (excluding China) rose to 42% in 2020 from 37% in 2019 while their debt-to-export ratio increased to 154% in 2020 from 126% in 2019.

The report also states that in response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic and at the urging of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, in April 2020, the G20 launched the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) to provide temporary liquidity support for low-income countries.

The G-20 countries agreed to extend the deferral period through the end of 2021. In November 2020, the G20 agreed on a Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI, an initiative to restructure unsustainable debt situations and protracted financing gaps in DSSI-eligible countries.

Overall, in 2020, net inflows from multilateral creditors to low- and middle-income countries rose to $117 billion, the highest level in a decade. Net debt inflows of external public debt to low-income countries rose 25% to $71 billion, also the highest level in a decade.

Multilateral creditors, including the IMF, provided $42 billion in net inflows while bilateral creditors accounted for an additional $10 billion.

“Economies across the globe face a daunting challenge posed by high and rapidly rising debt levels,” said Carmen Reinhart, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank Group.

“Policymakers need to prepare for the possibility of debt distress when financial market conditions turn less benign, particularly in emerging market and developing economies.”

Greater debt transparency is critical in addressing the risks posed by rising debt in many developing countries.

To facilitate transparency, International Debt Statistics 2022 was expanded to provide more detailed and disaggregated data on external debt than ever before.

The data now gives the breakdown of a borrowing country’s external debt stock to show the amount owed to each official and private creditor, the currency composition of this debt, and the terms on which loans were extended.

For DSSI-eligible countries the dataset was expanded to include the debt service deferred in 2020 by each bilateral creditor and the projected month-by-month debt-service payments owed to them through 2021.

The World Bank will also publish soon a new Debt Transparency in Developing Economies report that takes stock of debt transparency challenges in low-income countries and lays out a detailed list of recommendations to address them.

International Debt Statistics (IDS) is a longstanding annual publication of the World Bank featuring external debt statistics and analysis for the 123 low- and middle-income countries that report to the World Bank Debt Reporting System (DRS).

On response to COVID-19 across the globe, the World Bank Group said it had deployed over $157 billion to fight the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in its history.

The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and jobs, and jump start a climate-friendly recovery.

The Bank is also supporting over 50 low- and middle-income countries, more than half of which are in Africa, with the purchase and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, and is making available $20 billion in financing for this purpose until the end of 2022.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta Reclaims Top Spot in Serie A with Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Empoli

Atalanta surged back to the top of the Serie A standings with...

Death toll climbs to 22 in Anambra palliative distribution tragedy

Death toll from the devastating stampede incident in Okija in the Ihiala...

Updated: Stampede at Anambra rice giveaway leaves 12 dead, 32 injured

At least, 12 people lost their lives and 32 others were injured...

Ogun Information Ministry Vows to Intensify Mobilisation Efforts, Justifies N2bln 2025 Budget Proposal

The Ogun State Ministry of Information has assured the public of its...

No Shutdown: NNPC Ltd. Denies Report on Old Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports that...

Court Slaps MTN with N15m fine for disturbing customer me with unsolicited messages, caller tunes

In a landmark decision, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has slapped...

Bitter rivalry between Pasuma and Taye Currency shows no signs of abating

…There was no reason for Taye to be at Pasuma’s 40 years...

Update: Ekiti court grants Dele Farotimi N30m bail

Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun of an Ado Ekiti Magistrate’s Court has granted human...

Just in: Imprisoned Dele Farotimi appears in Ekiti Court amid tight security for ruling on bail application

Dele Farotimi, a prominent Human Rights lawyer and activist, arrived at the...

Just in: Imprisoned Dele Farotimi appears in Ekiti Court amid tight security for ruling on bail application

Dele Farotimi, a prominent Human Rights lawyer and activist, arrived at the...

Just in: National Sports Festival now to hold May 16- 30, 2025 – NSC

Following the postponement of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games, Ogun...

Domestic Crude Oil Sale Initiative: Tinubu’s Strategic Move Pays Off

President Bola Tinubu’s directive to sell crude oil and refined products in...

Saudi Arabia Eyes Hosting 2036 Olympics, Gains Backing from IOC Presidential Hopeful

Saudi Arabia is throwing its hat into the ring to host the...

Reps’ Pledge N704.91m for Vulnerable Nigerians, Presentation Set for Dec 31

The House of Representatives is set to present a significant donation of...

Alleged N110bln money laundering charge: Court admits Yahaya Bello to another N500m bail

Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, has been granted...

Port Harcourt Refinery Rehabilitation a “Masterstroke,” Says Former NNPC Boss

In spite of the criticism and cynicism trailing the feat, former chief...

Updated: 32 feared dead in Ibadan funfair tragedy: Ooni’s ex-wife, others arrested

At least, 32 children were feared killed during a stampede at a...

Rugby: Tunisia Triumphs Over Nigeria with 34-10 Win in Africa Cup Qualifiers

The Nigerian senior men’s national rugby team, the Stallions, suffered a 34-10...

SanDisk Teases Forthcoming Launch of Next-Generation Storage Device

Sandisk previews new corporate branding defined by a ‘Mindset of Motion’ Creative...

2025 FG’s budget: Full text of President Bola Tinubu

My Fellow Nigerians, 1. In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties...