The external debt of developing economies has more than doubled from a decade ago to $9 trillion in 2021, the World Bank said Tuesday, warning the debt crisis facing these countries has intensified, IgbereTV reports
The pandemic has forced many countries to take on more borrowing, and World Bank President David Malpass has warned that the world is facing a fifth wave of debt crisis.
Many countries are already facing or at risk of debt distress with surging global inflation and rising interest rates.
And global growth is slowing sharply this year, with an increased risk of world recession in 2023 amid “one of the most internationally synchronous episodes of… policy tightening” in 50 years, the World Bank said.
“A comprehensive approach is needed to reduce debt, increase transparency, and facilitate swifter restructuring — so countries can focus on spending that supports growth and reduces poverty,” Malpass added on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, he said the combination of high government debt levels and rising interest rates will cause greater absorption of global capital by advanced economies for a longer period.
“For developing countries, this is a grim outlook… access to electricity, fertilizer, food and capital is likely to remain limited for a prolonged period,” he added
