Nigeria Government Debt to GDP — 2026 Data & Trend
Nigeria's government debt was 36.06% in December 2025, down from 39.33% the previous year. A year earlier it stood at 39.33%.
Nigeria's government debt stands at 36.06% as of December 2025. The government debt currently sits at 36.06% (down from 39.33% in the prior year). Across the tracked window it has ranged between 5.17% and 46.11%, and is 3.27% lower than a year ago.
The trend
Among the 192 economies tracked on this platform, Nigeria ranks #141 on government debt by latest value. It fell from 39.33% in the previous year, and compares with a year-earlier 39.33%.
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 | 36.06% |
| Dec 2024 | 39.33% |
| Dec 2023 | 36.34% |
| Dec 2022 | 29.84% |
| Dec 2021 | 26.62% |
| Dec 2020 | 25.72% |
| Dec 2019 | 21.44% |
| Dec 2018 | 20.38% |
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 Nigeria Have in 2026?
Nigeria's government debt was 36.06% in December 2025, down from 39.33% the previous year. A year earlier it stood at 39.33%.
Is the government debt rising or falling in Nigeria?
It fell in the latest reading — 36.06% in December 2025 versus 39.33% 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).