National Debt (% of GDP): Nigeria
Nigeria's national debt (% of gdp) is currently 35.0% as of 2026. # Nigeria National Debt (% of GDP) Nigeria's national debt stands at 35% of GDP in 2026, well below its catastrophic peak of 53.
Current (2026)
35.0%
-3.8% y/y
Peak (1991)
53.2%
Low (2008)
5.2%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1990–2026 · 41 pts
National Debt (% of GDP) — Nigeria
1990 — 2026
National Debt (% of GDP) — Nigeria
Analysis# Nigeria National Debt (% of GDP)
Nigeria's national debt stands at 35% of GDP in 2026, well below its catastrophic peak of 53.2% in 1991 but significantly higher than the historic low of 5.2% in 2008. Over the past 36 years, the country has reduced its debt burden by 31.2 percentage points, reflecting substantial fiscal consolidation efforts following the debt crisis of the early 1990s.
The period from 2017 onward marks a concerning reversal. Debt rose steadily from 18% in 2017 to 39.3% in 2024, driven by increased borrowing and economic pressures. The slight decline to 35% by 2026 suggests stabilization, though levels remain elevated compared to the pre-2017 baseline. Sustained fiscal discipline will be essential to prevent a return to the unsustainable debt levels that characterized Nigeria's economy three decades ago.
Historical Data
41 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 33.8% | -0.88% |
| 2029 | 34.1% | -0.87% |
| 2028 | 34.4% | -2.55% |
| 2027 | 35.3% | +0.86% |
| 2026 | 35.0% | -3.85% |
| 2025 | 36.4% | -7.38% |
| 2024 | 39.3% | +8.26% |
| 2023 | 36.3% | +21.81% |
| 2022 | 29.8% | +12.03% |
| 2021 | 26.6% | +3.50% |
| 2020 | 25.7% | +20.09% |
| 2019 | 21.4% | +4.90% |
| 2018 | 20.4% | +13.33% |
| 2017 | 18.0% | +3.45% |
| 2016 | 17.4% | +16.78% |
| 2015 | 14.9% | +15.50% |
| 2014 | 12.9% | -0.77% |
| 2013 | 13.0% | +4.00% |
| 2012 | 12.5% | +0.81% |
| 2011 | 12.4% | +85.07% |
Show all 41 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.7% | +9.84% |
| 2009 | 6.1% | +17.31% |
| 2008 | 5.2% | -10.34% |
| 2007 | 5.8% | -13.43% |
| 2006 | 6.7% | -50.00% |
| 2005 | 13.4% | -46.83% |
| 2004 | 25.2% | -15.72% |
| 2003 | 29.9% | -2.61% |
| 2002 | 30.7% | -18.57% |
| 2001 | 37.7% | -7.82% |
| 2000 | 40.9% | -11.28% |
| 1999 | 46.1% | +191.77% |
| 1998 | 15.8% | -7.60% |
| 1997 | 17.1% | -4.47% |
| 1996 | 17.9% | -26.03% |
| 1995 | 24.2% | -39.04% |
| 1994 | 39.7% | -21.23% |
| 1993 | 50.4% | +1.20% |
| 1992 | 49.8% | -6.39% |
| 1991 | 53.2% | +4.52% |
| 1990 | 50.9% | — |
Related Data
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