UNCTAD “A World of Debt” Report 2025

Current Context: UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) 2025 report reveals global public debt has surged to unprecedented levels, with developing countries under immense stress.

Key Facts:

• Global Public Debt: Reached US $102 trillion in 2024—a record high (+US $5 trillion since 2023).
• Debt Growth in Developing Nations: These countries hold US $31 trillion, with debt doubling twice as fast as developed nations since 2010.
• Interest Burden: Developing nations paid a record US $921 billion in 2024—10% more than in 2023.
• High Debt Ratios: In 61 developing countries, interest payments exceed 10% of government revenue—diverting funds from health and education.

Impact for Development:

• Vital services like health, education, and infrastructure are underfunded.
• Risk of “lost development decade” for low-income countries.

Recommended Measures:

• Introduce multilateral debt relief (e.g., G20 Common Framework reforms, SDR reallocations).
• Create a shared debt information hub and build national capacity to manage risk.