Lesotho's external debt stock (DOD) saw a gradual increase from 2014 to 2020, with a slight decline in recent years

  • Lesotho's external debt stock grew from $912.1 million in 2014 to $1.74 billion in 2020.
  • The most significant increase in debt occurred between 2015 and 2016, when the debt surged from $952.6 million to $1.36 billion.
  • After 2020, external debt levels started to stabilise, with only a slight decline from $1.83 billion in 2021 to $1.78 billion in 2023.
  • Despite the recent stabilisation, Lesotho’s external debt remains relatively high, indicating a need for debt sustainability and fiscal management.

This data is about the accumulation of external borrowed funds to finance the country’s development projects, including infrastructure and social services. However, in the last few years, from 2021 to 2023, Lesotho's external debt has stabilised, with a slight decrease in the total debt stock. The decrease in debt stock can be attributed to a combination of factors, including improved revenue collection, reduced borrowing, and debt restructuring efforts.

Source:

World Bank

Period:

2014–2023
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