Total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean
Latin America & Caribbean: Total reserves was 40.9% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean is 40.9%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 2.3% on the previous year and down 14.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean peaked at 59.2% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 7.2%, in 1983.
Latin America & Caribbean ranks 22nd of 40 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 13.7% | — |
| 1972 | 20.6% | +50.3% |
| 1973 | 26.8% | +30.2% |
| 1974 | 21.2% | -20.7% |
| 1975 | 13.7% | -35.3% |
| 1976 | 16.0% | +16.3% |
| 1977 | 16.7% | +4.5% |
| 1978 | 20.1% | +20.6% |
| 1979 | 22.6% | +12.4% |
| 1980 | 17.5% | -22.8% |
| 1981 | 12.0% | -31.5% |
| 1982 | 7.7% | -35.9% |
| 1983 | 7.2% | -6.3% |
| 1984 | 9.8% | +36.1% |
| 1985 | 9.6% | -1.9% |
| 1986 | 8.6% | -10.2% |
| 1987 | 9.1% | +5.6% |
| 1988 | 7.9% | -13.0% |
| 1989 | 7.9% | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 9.8% | +23.9% |
| 1991 | 12.8% | +29.7% |
| 1992 | 17.7% | +39.0% |
| 1993 | 20.8% | +17.4% |
| 1994 | 17.7% | -15.2% |
| 1995 | 20.2% | +14.7% |
| 1996 | 22.9% | +13.3% |
| 1997 | 22.6% | -1.3% |
| 1998 | 19.2% | -15.1% |
| 1999 | 17.4% | -9.7% |
| 2000 | 17.7% | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 17.9% | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 18.6% | +4.3% |
| 2003 | 21.0% | +12.7% |
| 2004 | 23.8% | +13.3% |
| 2005 | 29.6% | +24.6% |
| 2006 | 36.1% | +21.8% |
| 2007 | 50.1% | +38.7% |
| 2008 | 51.5% | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 56.3% | +9.3% |
| 2010 | 57.0% | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 59.2% | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 57.0% | -3.6% |
| 2013 | 50.9% | -10.7% |
| 2014 | 47.7% | -6.4% |
| 2015 | 44.8% | -5.9% |
| 2016 | 45.5% | +1.4% |
| 2017 | 44.7% | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 42.6% | -4.8% |
| 2019 | 40.8% | -4.2% |
| 2020 | 42.7% | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 43.1% | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 40.2% | -6.7% |
| 2023 | 40.0% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 40.9% | +2.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 19.0% | 13.7% | 26.8% | 9 |
| 1980s | 9.7% | 7.2% | 17.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.1% | 9.8% | 22.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 32.3% | 17.7% | 56.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 49.0% | 40.8% | 59.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.4% | 40.0% | 43.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Latin America & Caribbean
More financial sector data for Latin America & Caribbean
- Net migration -401,848 (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 6.54 (2025)
- Broad money 72.7% (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 33.6% (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector 52.6% (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, annual growth rate 3.91 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 48.2% (2025)
- Net migration, annual growth rate -6.2 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Total reserves in Latin America & Caribbean was 40.9% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The highest recorded value was 59.2% in 2011.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.2% in 1983.
- How does Latin America & Caribbean rank for total reserves?
- Latin America & Caribbean ranks 22nd out of 40 groups with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Latin America & Caribbean 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.