Government gross debt in Iran

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 39.1% 2027: 40.2% 2028: 40.8% 2029: 41.7% 2030: 42.7% 2031: 43.4%

22.2 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	22.2
Jan 1998	29.6
Jan 1997	30.9
Jan 1996	29.3

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Government gross debt measures the total outstanding liabilities of Iran's public sector owed to domestic and external creditors. It is reported in absolute terms and as a share of GDP to assess the strength of the state's finances.

How it's calculated

Lacking an EU-style harmonised framework, the figure comes mainly from IMF (WEO) estimates and the Iranian authorities: the sum of securities, loans and other government liabilities set against nominal GDP. It is an annual figure.

Market implications

High or rising debt limits Iran's fiscal room and financing capacity, against a backdrop of sanctions and restricted access to international capital markets. The reading guides investors and multilateral bodies.

Limitations

Iranian data are low-frequency, released with a lag and carry considerable methodological uncertainty; high inflation and sharp swings in the rial complicate comparing the ratio over time and across countries.