International Debt Report 2024 | 05 Dec 2024

Source: DTE 

Why in News?

Recently released, World Bank’s "International Debt Report 2024" highlights a worsening debt crisis for developing nations, with 2023 marking the highest debt servicing levels in two decades, driven by rising interest rates and economic challenges. 

• Also, earlier in June 2024,  a UNCTAD report, "A World of Debt 2024: A Growing Burden to Global Prosperity",  highlighted a severe global debt crisis impacting the world. 

What are the Key Findings of the International Debt Report, 2024? 

• Rising Debt Levels: 
  • The total external debt of Low- and Middle-Income countries (Developing or LMICs) reached a record USD 8.8 trillion by the end of 2023, marking an 8% increase since 2020. 
  • External debt for the International Development Association (IDA)-eligible countries rose by nearly 18%, reaching USD 1.1 trillion. 
    • IDA, established in 1960,is a World Bank Group institution providing concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest nations with low income and poor creditworthiness. 
• Rising Debt Servicing Costs: 
  • LMICs incurred a record USD 1.4 trillion in debt servicing costs (principal plus interest payments) in 2023, with interest payments increasing by 33% to USD 406 billion, placing immense pressure on national budgets. 
  • The sharp rise in interest payments has curtailed investments in vital sectors like health, education, and environmental sustainability, exacerbating developmental challenges. 
• Rising Borrowing Costs: 
  • In 2023, interest rates on loans from official creditors doubled to over 4%, while rates from private creditors rose to 6%, the highest level in 15 years. 
    • This surge in interest rates significantly increased the financial burden on developing countries, exacerbating their debt servicing challenges. 
• Role of Private and Official Creditors: 
  • As global credit conditions worsened, private creditors cut lending to IDA nations, leading to USD 13 billion more in debt servicing than new loans.  
  • In contrast, multilateral lenders, like the World Bank, supported these economies by providing USD 51 billion more than they collected in debt payments. 
• Impact on IDA-Eligible Countries: 
  • IDA-eligible countries faced severe financial strain in 2023, paying USD 96.2 billion in debt servicing, including USD 34.6 billion in record-high interest costs- 4 times higher than in 2014.  
  • On average, nearly 6% of their export earnings go to interest payments, with some allocating up to 38%. 

What is the State of the Global Debt Crisis as per UNCTAD World of Debt Report, 2024? 

• Rapid Increase in Global Public Debt: Global debt, encompassing borrowings by households, businesses, and governments, is projected to reach USD 315 trillion in 2024, 3 times the global GDP.  
  • Public debt is rising rapidly due to factors like the Covid-19 pandemic, rising food and energy prices, climate change, and a sluggish global economy marked by slowing growth and rising bank interest rates.  
• Regional Disparities in Debt Growth: Developing nations' public debt, now USD 29 trillion (30% of global debt, up from 16% in 2010), is growing twice as fast as in developed countries. 
• Impact on Debt Servicing and Climate Initiatives: Around 50% of developing countries now allocate at least 8% of their government revenues to debt servicing, a figure that has doubled in the past decade. 
  • Currently, developing nations spend a higher percentage of GDP on servicing debts (2.4%) than on climate initiatives (2.1%), restricting their ability to address climate change.  
  • To meet the Paris Agreement goals, climate investments need to rise to 6.9% of GDP by 2030. 
• Shifts in Official Development Assistance (ODA): ODA, which supports economic development and welfare in developing countries, is facing a significant decline and loans now form 34% of aid, up from 28% in 2012, increasing debt burdens.  
  • Debt relief funding has dropped drastically from USD 4.1 billion in 2012 to USD 300 million in 2022, worsening debt management for developing nations. 

What Measures Have Been Taken to Reduce the Global Debt Crisis? 

• Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) Programme: The DMFAS programme has been implemented by UNCTAD which assists developing countries in improving their debt management practices.  
  • It provides training and technical support to enhance debt recording, risk assessment, and negotiations, thereby promoting sustainable borrowing practices and preventing future debt crises. 
• Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative: 
  • HIPC was launched by the IMF and World Bank in 1996. It provides debt relief and low-interest loans to world's poorest nations which are facing unsustainable debt, with eligibility based on strict criteria such as a track record of reforms and development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).  
  • Countries that complete the program receive debt-service relief and additional financial resources.  
  • The Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI), introduced in 2005, supplements the HIPC Initiative, helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  
    • For example, Somalia saved USD 4.5 billion in debt service after completing the program in December 2023. 
• Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR): 
  • The GSDR brings together debtor countries and official and private creditors with the objective to build common understanding among key stakeholders on debt sustainability and debt restructuring challenges, and ways to address them. 
  • It is co-chaired by the IMF, World Bank, and the G20. 

Way Forward 

• Inclusive Governance:  
  • Increased participation of low-income countries in decision-making processes is crucial to ensure their voices are heard. Financial transparency and accountability are essential for preventing debt crises, as emphasized by the UN Office for Sustainable Development. 
• Contingency Financing:  
  • The IMF plays a key role in providing emergency financial support. Measures such as increased access to Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), as proposed in a 2019 IMF report, can help bolster the reserves of developing countries during crises. 
• Managing Unsustainable Debt:  
  • Existing debt restructuring frameworks, like the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment, need to be strengthened. Incorporating automatic provisions for debt payment suspensions during crises can provide flexibility to stabilize economies. 
• Scaling up Sustainable Financing:  
  • Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) should be transformed to focus more on long-term financing for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is also essential to attract private investment for sustainable projects, such as clean energy, and fulfill commitments related to aid and climate finance, particularly for developing nations. 

Conclusion 

The World Bank International Debt Report 2024 paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by developing nations in managing their debt. The findings underscore the urgent need for multilateral support and improved transparency in debt data to ensure sustainable economic development. As these nations navigate their financial challenges, the role of multilateral institutions becomes increasingly critical in providing the necessary support to balance debt repayments with essential development priorities.