Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Thailand
Thailand: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 123.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Thailand, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
Thailand recorded 123.5% for total reserves in 2024.
That represents a change of up 7.1% on the previous year and up 15.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Thailand peaked at 171.0% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 17.1%, in 1985.
That places Thailand 12th out of 112 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Thailand, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 82.5% | — |
| 1972 | 90.7% | +10.0% |
| 1973 | 118.0% | +30.0% |
| 1974 | 137.1% | +16.2% |
| 1975 | 107.6% | -21.5% |
| 1976 | 90.9% | -15.6% |
| 1977 | 66.0% | -27.3% |
| 1978 | 50.8% | -23.0% |
| 1979 | 46.7% | -8.2% |
| 1980 | 36.5% | -21.8% |
| 1981 | 25.1% | -31.3% |
| 1982 | 21.8% | -12.8% |
| 1983 | 18.4% | -15.9% |
| 1984 | 17.9% | -2.6% |
| 1985 | 17.1% | -4.4% |
| 1986 | 20.4% | +19.0% |
| 1987 | 25.5% | +25.3% |
| 1988 | 32.7% | +28.0% |
| 1989 | 44.6% | +36.6% |
| 1990 | 50.6% | +13.4% |
| 1991 | 48.7% | -3.8% |
| 1992 | 50.6% | +3.9% |
| 1993 | 48.3% | -4.6% |
| 1994 | 46.2% | -4.3% |
| 1995 | 36.9% | -20.1% |
| 1996 | 34.2% | -7.2% |
| 1997 | 24.5% | -28.4% |
| 1998 | 28.1% | +14.8% |
| 1999 | 35.9% | +27.5% |
| 2000 | 40.9% | +14.0% |
| 2001 | 49.1% | +20.0% |
| 2002 | 61.8% | +25.9% |
| 2003 | 72.1% | +16.7% |
| 2004 | 85.3% | +18.3% |
| 2005 | 89.0% | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 106.8% | +20.1% |
| 2007 | 138.5% | +29.6% |
| 2008 | 166.4% | +20.1% |
| 2009 | 171.0% | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 160.5% | -6.1% |
| 2011 | 148.6% | -7.4% |
| 2012 | 120.1% | -19.2% |
| 2013 | 108.7% | -9.5% |
| 2014 | 107.0% | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 127.2% | +18.9% |
| 2016 | 131.1% | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 131.9% | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 119.5% | -9.4% |
| 2019 | 133.1% | +11.4% |
| 2020 | 138.1% | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 125.1% | -9.4% |
| 2022 | 107.7% | -13.9% |
| 2023 | 115.3% | +7.1% |
| 2024 | 123.5% | +7.1% |
Thailand compared with similar countries
- Thailand's 123.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 38.0%, 3.3× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Thailand's 123.5% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 92.4%, 1.3× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 87.8% | 46.7% | 137.1% | 9 |
| 1980s | 26.0% | 17.1% | 44.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 40.4% | 24.5% | 50.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 98.1% | 40.9% | 171.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 128.8% | 107.0% | 160.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 121.9% | 107.7% | 138.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Thailand
More financial sector data for Thailand
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 8.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 16.06 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 3.21 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0015 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 11.73 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 8.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 16.06 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 3.21 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Thailand?
- Total reserves in Thailand was 123.5% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Thailand?
- The highest recorded value was 171.0% in 2009.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Thailand?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.1% in 1985.
- How does Thailand rank for total reserves?
- Thailand ranks 12th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Thailand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Thailand 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.