Developing Countries' External Debt Reaches Record $9.4 Trillion, World Bank Reports

The World Bank's International Debt Report 2026, released on November 5, 2026, indicates that the external debt of developing countries surged by 5.5% to a record $9.4 trillion in 2025. This marks the fastest pace since 2021, with the poorest countries facing the highest borrowing costs in decades, threatening essential investments in their populations.