Total reserves in South Asia
South Asia: Total reserves was 76.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in South Asia, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in South Asia is 76.8%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 4.9% on the previous year and up 14.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in South Asia peaked at 117.7% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 7.0%, in 1990.
That places South Asia 9th out of 40 groups 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 in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 14.2% | — |
| 1972 | 16.8% | +18.4% |
| 1973 | 16.4% | -2.2% |
| 1974 | 18.2% | +10.7% |
| 1975 | 14.5% | -20.1% |
| 1976 | 24.2% | +66.6% |
| 1977 | 35.7% | +47.5% |
| 1978 | 44.2% | +23.9% |
| 1979 | 56.9% | +28.6% |
| 1980 | 48.5% | -14.8% |
| 1981 | 30.4% | -37.3% |
| 1982 | 26.1% | -14.2% |
| 1983 | 23.6% | -9.4% |
| 1984 | 23.1% | -2.4% |
| 1985 | 21.1% | -8.5% |
| 1986 | 19.9% | -5.6% |
| 1987 | 18.9% | -5.1% |
| 1988 | 14.3% | -24.1% |
| 1989 | 10.1% | -29.3% |
| 1990 | 7.0% | -31.2% |
| 1991 | 9.6% | +37.9% |
| 1992 | 11.9% | +23.4% |
| 1993 | 17.1% | +44.3% |
| 1994 | 24.5% | +43.3% |
| 1995 | 23.4% | -4.7% |
| 1996 | 24.7% | +5.6% |
| 1997 | 27.7% | +12.3% |
| 1998 | 28.4% | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 31.3% | +10.3% |
| 2000 | 34.9% | +11.5% |
| 2001 | 42.0% | +20.3% |
| 2002 | 56.2% | +33.9% |
| 2003 | 72.7% | +29.2% |
| 2004 | 87.4% | +20.2% |
| 2005 | 93.8% | +7.3% |
| 2006 | 95.5% | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 117.7% | +23.2% |
| 2008 | 98.9% | -16.0% |
| 2009 | 99.1% | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 93.9% | -5.3% |
| 2011 | 81.3% | -13.4% |
| 2012 | 70.3% | -13.5% |
| 2013 | 65.4% | -7.0% |
| 2014 | 67.1% | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 70.0% | +4.3% |
| 2016 | 74.4% | +6.3% |
| 2017 | 74.7% | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 69.8% | -6.5% |
| 2019 | 74.4% | +6.5% |
| 2020 | 91.9% | +23.6% |
| 2021 | 89.8% | -2.3% |
| 2022 | 78.0% | -13.2% |
| 2023 | 80.8% | +3.6% |
| 2024 | 76.8% | -4.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 26.8% | 14.2% | 56.9% | 9 |
| 1980s | 23.6% | 10.1% | 48.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 20.6% | 7.0% | 31.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 79.8% | 34.9% | 117.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 74.1% | 65.4% | 93.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 83.5% | 76.8% | 91.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More financial sector data for South Asia
- Total reserves in months of imports 7.72 (2025)
- Net migration -1.30 million (2025)
- Net migration, annual growth rate 15.65 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector 43.5% (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 19.7% (2025)
- Broad money 79.6% (2021)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 43.5% (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 43.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in South Asia?
- Total reserves in South Asia was 76.8% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 117.7% in 2007.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.0% in 1990.
- How does South Asia rank for total reserves?
- South Asia ranks 9th out of 40 groups with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia 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.