Total reserves (% of total external debt) in India
India: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 89.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in India, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in India is 89.8%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.4% on the previous year and up 26.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in India peaked at 135.5% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 6.8%, in 1990.
That places India 18th out of 112 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in India, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 13.4% | — |
| 1972 | 13.6% | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 14.9% | +9.0% |
| 1974 | 18.3% | +23.2% |
| 1975 | 14.9% | -18.7% |
| 1976 | 25.6% | +71.7% |
| 1977 | 39.5% | +54.4% |
| 1978 | 50.3% | +27.5% |
| 1979 | 65.0% | +29.0% |
| 1980 | 58.0% | -10.8% |
| 1981 | 36.1% | -37.8% |
| 1982 | 30.6% | -15.2% |
| 1983 | 26.8% | -12.4% |
| 1984 | 26.1% | -2.8% |
| 1985 | 24.4% | -6.4% |
| 1986 | 23.3% | -4.3% |
| 1987 | 21.5% | -7.7% |
| 1988 | 15.5% | -28.1% |
| 1989 | 10.9% | -29.5% |
| 1990 | 6.8% | -38.1% |
| 1991 | 9.0% | +32.9% |
| 1992 | 10.9% | +21.1% |
| 1993 | 16.1% | +47.9% |
| 1994 | 24.7% | +54.0% |
| 1995 | 24.4% | -1.5% |
| 1996 | 26.5% | +8.7% |
| 1997 | 30.2% | +13.9% |
| 1998 | 31.2% | +3.3% |
| 1999 | 36.1% | +15.8% |
| 2000 | 40.6% | +12.5% |
| 2001 | 49.3% | +21.4% |
| 2002 | 67.7% | +37.4% |
| 2003 | 87.3% | +28.9% |
| 2004 | 106.5% | +22.0% |
| 2005 | 113.7% | +6.8% |
| 2006 | 111.6% | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 135.5% | +21.4% |
| 2008 | 113.3% | -16.4% |
| 2009 | 111.1% | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 103.5% | -6.8% |
| 2011 | 89.3% | -13.7% |
| 2012 | 76.5% | -14.3% |
| 2013 | 69.8% | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 71.1% | +1.8% |
| 2015 | 73.8% | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 79.4% | +7.6% |
| 2017 | 80.7% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 76.6% | -5.0% |
| 2019 | 82.6% | +7.9% |
| 2020 | 104.5% | +26.5% |
| 2021 | 104.3% | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 92.2% | -11.7% |
| 2023 | 96.9% | +5.2% |
| 2024 | 89.8% | -7.4% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 89.8% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 37.2%, 2.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- India's 89.8% is above the median for South Asia, which is 24.1%, 3.7× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 28.4% | 13.4% | 65.0% | 9 |
| 1980s | 27.3% | 10.9% | 58.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 21.6% | 6.8% | 36.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 93.7% | 40.6% | 135.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 80.3% | 69.8% | 103.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 97.5% | 89.8% | 104.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More financial sector data for India
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 13.2 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0012 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 3.26 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 7.8 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0009 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 2.38 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 13.2 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0012 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 3.26 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 7.8 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in India?
- Total reserves in India was 89.8% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 135.5% in 2007.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.8% in 1990.
- How does India rank for total reserves?
- India ranks 18th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.