Dhaka:Bangladesh's government debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to remain significantly lower than those of India, Pakistan, and several other South Asian countries, highlighting the country's relatively moderate public debt burden amid challenging global economic conditions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the IMF-based figures for 2026 estimate Bangladesh's government debt at around 40 percent of GDP. This contrasts with approximately 83 percent for India, 70 percent for Pakistan, 95 percent for Sri Lanka, 131 percent for the Maldives, and 116 percent for Bhutan. Nepal's ratio is projected at approximately 49.36 percent.
The comparison places Bangladesh in a relatively favorable position among several major South Asian economies in terms of government debt relative to the size of their economies. The figures indicate that Bangladesh's projected debt ratio is less than half of India's and substantially below those of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The gap is even wider compared to the Maldives and Bhutan, where government debt is projected to exceed the size of annual economic output.
The figures are based on the IMF-related dataset supplied for this comparison and should be interpreted as estimates or projections for 2026 rather than final audited outcomes. A comparatively lower debt-to-GDP ratio can provide a country with greater flexibility to finance essential public services, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other development priorities, provided that borrowing remains sustainable and public resources are used efficiently.
For Bangladesh, maintaining this relative position will depend on strengthening revenue mobilization, improving expenditure efficiency, expanding productive investment, and ensuring that new borrowing generates adequate economic and social returns. The comparison also highlights the importance of managing debt-servicing costs, particularly as governments across the region face pressure to finance development needs while responding to inflation, external economic uncertainty, and competing demands on public spending.