In brief
According to the World Bank released in Washington on November 9, 2026, Bangladesh is expected to carry $113.44 billion of external debt by the end of 2025, up from $38.77 billion in 2015. Per‑capita debt averages $646 against a global backdrop of a $9.4 trillion record rise in developing‑country external borrowing. The report underscores a steep debt trajectory that will test Bangladesh’s fiscal resilience.
A report released by the World Bank on November 9, 2026 in Washington indicates that Bangladesh’s external debt will approach US$113.44 billion by the end of next year, nearly tripling the amount recorded in 2015. The data appear in the institution’s International Debt Report 2026 and quote the South Asian country’s liabilities climbing from US$38.77 billion in 2015 to the projected level.
In the world‑bank document, the World Bank estimates Bangladesh’s population at 175.7 million for 2025, yielding a per‑capita external debt of roughly US$646. This figure contrasts with the global average, which rose sharply as developing nations piles on new borrowing.
The International Debt Report notes that external debt of developing countries jumped 5.5 percent to a record US$9.4 trillion in 2025, the fastest pace since 2021 and about four times the 2022‑24 average. The increase underscores the mounting pressure on emerging‑economy borrowers amid tightening global credit conditions.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, was named in the Xinhua news brief announcing the data. The brief indicates that the World Bank’s figures come from the December 2025 mid‑year data set, now incorporated into the 2026 report released in Washington that day.
World Bank analysts emphasize that the growth in Bangladesh’s external debt, though substantial, is part of a worldwide trend. The global record rise of US$9.4 trillion in 2025 mirrors the rapid expansion observed in the years following the 2021 economic shock, which saw developing‑country borrowing rise at the highest rate in recent history.
Bangladesh’s per‑capita debt of $646 places it among the higher‑debt‑burden nations in the region, according to the World Bank’s categorization. The per‑capita figure is a key metric that captures how the debt load is shared across the population, providing a more nuanced view than total debt alone.
While the World Bank’s report does not prescribe specific policy measures, it highlights the importance of monitoring debt sustainability in countries where external liabilities are rising faster than economic growth. The warning comes as policymakers across the developing world grapple with increased reliance on external financing amid a recovering global economy.
The World Bank’s International Debt Report 2026 will be closely watched by Bangladeshi economists, investors, and international creditors. The projected figures may influence future lending conditions, interest rates, and refinancing strategies for the country’s debt portfolio.
In the longer term, the country’s debt trajectory will determine its ability to finance infrastructure and social programs. Analysts point out that a steep debt climb could constrain fiscal flexibility and hamper efforts to address poverty and stimulate growth.
