Total reserves in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Total reserves was 26.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Least developed countries, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
Least developed countries recorded 26.1% for total reserves in 2024.
That represents a change of down 0.6% on the previous year and down 37.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Least developed countries peaked at 50.4% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 1985.
That places Least developed countries 36th out of 40 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 22.7% | — |
| 1972 | 25.5% | +12.0% |
| 1973 | 24.6% | -3.2% |
| 1974 | 18.6% | -24.3% |
| 1975 | 11.8% | -36.5% |
| 1976 | 12.0% | +1.2% |
| 1977 | 10.9% | -9.3% |
| 1978 | 8.8% | -19.1% |
| 1979 | 10.4% | +18.7% |
| 1980 | 8.6% | -18.0% |
| 1981 | 6.4% | -25.7% |
| 1982 | 4.8% | -24.7% |
| 1983 | 4.9% | +3.1% |
| 1984 | 3.8% | -22.4% |
| 1985 | 3.4% | -12.1% |
| 1986 | 3.9% | +17.0% |
| 1987 | 4.2% | +6.4% |
| 1988 | 4.4% | +5.8% |
| 1989 | 3.7% | -17.4% |
| 1990 | 4.1% | +10.5% |
| 1991 | 5.0% | +22.5% |
| 1992 | 5.5% | +9.8% |
| 1993 | 5.8% | +6.3% |
| 1994 | 6.9% | +19.7% |
| 1995 | 6.8% | -1.7% |
| 1996 | 7.4% | +8.8% |
| 1997 | 7.9% | +6.5% |
| 1998 | 7.4% | -5.9% |
| 1999 | 8.4% | +12.5% |
| 2000 | 10.5% | +25.1% |
| 2001 | 11.7% | +11.5% |
| 2002 | 13.1% | +12.0% |
| 2003 | 14.3% | +9.6% |
| 2004 | 17.3% | +20.8% |
| 2005 | 19.4% | +12.2% |
| 2006 | 31.1% | +60.1% |
| 2007 | 37.2% | +19.4% |
| 2008 | 42.4% | +14.0% |
| 2009 | 43.5% | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 47.3% | +8.6% |
| 2011 | 47.7% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 50.4% | +5.7% |
| 2013 | 47.1% | -6.6% |
| 2014 | 41.7% | -11.6% |
| 2015 | 38.0% | -8.8% |
| 2016 | 36.1% | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 33.7% | -6.7% |
| 2018 | 33.2% | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 33.1% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 34.5% | +4.3% |
| 2021 | 32.3% | -6.5% |
| 2022 | 27.3% | -15.6% |
| 2023 | 26.3% | -3.5% |
| 2024 | 26.1% | -0.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 16.2% | 8.8% | 25.5% | 9 |
| 1980s | 4.8% | 3.4% | 8.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.5% | 4.1% | 8.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 24.1% | 10.5% | 43.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.8% | 33.1% | 50.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 29.3% | 26.1% | 34.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 33 Brazil 54.5% compare
- 34 Republic of Moldova 52.3% compare
- 35 Tajikistan 52.0% compare
- 36 Lebanon 49.4% compare
- 37 Grenada 49.0% compare
- 38 Central African Republic 46.8% compare
- 39 Jordan 46.7% compare
More financial sector data for Least developed countries
- Total reserves in months of imports, annual growth rate -4.74 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 30.8% (2024)
- Net migration, annual growth rate 30.52 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 5.77 (2025)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 31.1% (2024)
- Broad money 45.0% (2023)
- Net migration -1.21 million (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 12.1% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Least developed countries?
- Total reserves in Least developed countries was 26.1% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 50.4% in 2012.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 1985.
- How does Least developed countries rank for total reserves?
- Least developed countries ranks 36th out of 40 groups with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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.