Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Myanmar
Myanmar: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 76.8% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Myanmar, 1971–2023
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
In 2023, total reserves in Myanmar stood at 76.8%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 17.6% on the previous year and down 13.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Myanmar peaked at 89.1% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 3.1%, in 1987.
Myanmar ranks 23rd of 112 countries on this measure, 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 Myanmar, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 39.1% | — |
| 1972 | 27.6% | -29.4% |
| 1973 | 37.6% | +36.2% |
| 1974 | 61.7% | +64.1% |
| 1975 | 43.1% | -30.1% |
| 1976 | 37.4% | -13.1% |
| 1977 | 23.2% | -38.1% |
| 1978 | 14.8% | -36.2% |
| 1979 | 23.7% | +60.4% |
| 1980 | 24.3% | +2.6% |
| 1981 | 16.7% | -31.3% |
| 1982 | 9.7% | -41.7% |
| 1983 | 7.6% | -22.4% |
| 1984 | 5.6% | -26.0% |
| 1985 | 3.8% | -32.6% |
| 1986 | 3.5% | -8.1% |
| 1987 | 3.1% | -10.3% |
| 1988 | 3.7% | +19.0% |
| 1989 | 7.7% | +107.6% |
| 1990 | 7.7% | +0.2% |
| 1991 | 6.3% | -17.6% |
| 1992 | 6.6% | +3.8% |
| 1993 | 6.9% | +4.6% |
| 1994 | 8.1% | +17.5% |
| 1995 | 10.4% | +28.7% |
| 1996 | 5.4% | -48.0% |
| 1997 | 5.4% | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 6.2% | +16.1% |
| 1999 | 5.2% | -17.3% |
| 2000 | 4.4% | -14.3% |
| 2001 | 7.6% | +72.5% |
| 2002 | 8.2% | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 8.7% | +6.2% |
| 2004 | 10.0% | +15.4% |
| 2005 | 12.4% | +23.5% |
| 2006 | 18.4% | +48.4% |
| 2007 | 40.7% | +121.3% |
| 2008 | 43.8% | +7.5% |
| 2009 | 58.0% | +32.5% |
| 2010 | 60.5% | +4.4% |
| 2011 | 68.0% | +12.4% |
| 2012 | 66.6% | -2.0% |
| 2013 | 89.1% | +33.7% |
| 2014 | 44.9% | -49.6% |
| 2015 | 45.0% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 48.3% | +7.4% |
| 2017 | 48.3% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 52.6% | +8.8% |
| 2019 | 52.1% | -1.0% |
| 2020 | 57.2% | +9.9% |
| 2021 | 66.2% | +15.7% |
| 2022 | 65.3% | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 76.8% | +17.6% |
Myanmar compared with similar countries
- Myanmar's 76.8% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 37.2%, 2.1× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Myanmar's 76.8% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 92.4%, 83% of the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 34.2% | 14.8% | 61.7% | 9 |
| 1980s | 8.6% | 3.1% | 24.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.8% | 5.2% | 10.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.2% | 4.4% | 58.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 57.5% | 44.9% | 89.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 66.4% | 57.2% | 76.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Myanmar
More financial sector data for Myanmar
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1985)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1985)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1985)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1985)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Myanmar?
- Total reserves in Myanmar was 76.8% in 2023, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Myanmar?
- The highest recorded value was 89.1% in 2013.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Myanmar?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.1% in 1987.
- How does Myanmar rank for total reserves?
- Myanmar ranks 23rd out of 112 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Myanmar?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Myanmar 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.