Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Pakistan
Pakistan: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 14.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Pakistan, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
Pakistan recorded 14.2% for total reserves in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 35.4% on the previous year and down 36.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Pakistan peaked at 37.1% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 4.4%, in 1996.
That places Pakistan 98th out of 112 countries 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 (% of total external debt) in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 5.2% | — |
| 1972 | 8.0% | +52.1% |
| 1973 | 12.9% | +62.5% |
| 1974 | 13.4% | +4.0% |
| 1975 | 9.8% | -27.2% |
| 1976 | 10.1% | +2.8% |
| 1977 | 9.5% | -5.9% |
| 1978 | 9.6% | +1.0% |
| 1979 | 12.8% | +34.2% |
| 1980 | 15.8% | +23.1% |
| 1981 | 13.8% | -12.9% |
| 1982 | 15.5% | +12.6% |
| 1983 | 22.3% | +44.0% |
| 1984 | 13.2% | -41.0% |
| 1985 | 10.6% | -19.4% |
| 1986 | 9.8% | -7.7% |
| 1987 | 8.6% | -12.4% |
| 1988 | 7.0% | -18.5% |
| 1989 | 7.1% | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 5.1% | -28.6% |
| 1991 | 5.2% | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 6.1% | +17.1% |
| 1993 | 8.1% | +33.0% |
| 1994 | 13.6% | +66.9% |
| 1995 | 8.4% | -38.4% |
| 1996 | 4.4% | -47.6% |
| 1997 | 6.0% | +36.1% |
| 1998 | 5.0% | -15.6% |
| 1999 | 6.2% | +23.1% |
| 2000 | 6.3% | +1.8% |
| 2001 | 13.0% | +106.7% |
| 2002 | 25.6% | +96.7% |
| 2003 | 31.9% | +24.6% |
| 2004 | 29.1% | -9.0% |
| 2005 | 32.2% | +10.7% |
| 2006 | 34.2% | +6.3% |
| 2007 | 37.1% | +8.6% |
| 2008 | 18.0% | -51.5% |
| 2009 | 23.9% | +32.7% |
| 2010 | 27.2% | +13.9% |
| 2011 | 27.2% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 21.4% | -21.3% |
| 2013 | 12.7% | -40.7% |
| 2014 | 22.3% | +75.2% |
| 2015 | 29.2% | +31.0% |
| 2016 | 29.3% | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 19.8% | -32.4% |
| 2018 | 11.8% | -40.4% |
| 2019 | 15.1% | +27.4% |
| 2020 | 15.7% | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 17.4% | +11.1% |
| 2022 | 7.8% | -55.4% |
| 2023 | 10.5% | +34.7% |
| 2024 | 14.2% | +35.4% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 14.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 37.2%, 38% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 14.2% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 46.7%, 30% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10.1% | 5.2% | 13.4% | 9 |
| 1980s | 12.4% | 7.0% | 22.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.8% | 4.4% | 13.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.1% | 6.3% | 37.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.6% | 11.8% | 29.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.1% | 7.8% | 17.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More financial sector data for Pakistan
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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 0.0006 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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 0.0005 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 0.0006 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Pakistan?
- Total reserves in Pakistan was 14.2% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 37.1% in 2007.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.4% in 1996.
- How does Pakistan rank for total reserves?
- Pakistan ranks 98th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.