Sri Lanka Government Debt to GDP — 2026 Data & Trend
Sri Lanka's government debt was 96.80% in December 2025, down from 100.18% the previous year. A year earlier it stood at 100.18%.
Sri Lanka's government debt stands at 96.80% as of December 2025. Over the latest readings, the government debt has moved within a band of 67.50% to 115.94%. The most recent figure of 96.80% is down from 100.18% a year earlier, and is 3.38% lower than a year ago.
The trend
Among the 192 economies tracked on this platform, Sri Lanka ranks #27 on government debt by latest value. It fell from 100.18% in the previous year, and compares with a year-earlier 100.18%.
What's driving it
The debt ratio moves with budget deficits, growth, interest costs and the currency; faster nominal growth lowers it, while wide deficits push it up.
Recent readings
| Period | Government debt |
|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | 96.80% |
| Dec 2024 | 100.18% |
| Dec 2023 | 109.90% |
| Dec 2022 | 115.94% |
| Dec 2021 | 102.67% |
| Dec 2020 | 96.88% |
| Dec 2019 | 82.59% |
| Dec 2018 | 83.58% |
Data: Source: IMF — International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity (IRFCL), International Liquidity (IL), Monetary and Financial Statistics (MFS), World Economic Outlook (WEO). Figures carry an effective date; confirm with the source before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
How Much Government Debt Does Sri Lanka Have in 2026?
Sri Lanka's government debt was 96.80% in December 2025, down from 100.18% the previous year. A year earlier it stood at 100.18%.
Is the government debt rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
It fell in the latest reading — 96.80% in December 2025 versus 100.18% a year earlier. Year on year it is lower.
What is government debt?
It measures total public debt expressed as a share of gross domestic product (debt-to-GDP).