Government gross debt in Norway

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 42.9% 2027: 39.4% 2028: 35.9% 2029: 32.5% 2030: 29.0% 2031: 25.5%

25.1 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	25.1
Jan 1998	23.8
Jan 1997	26.0
Jan 1996	28.6
Jan 1995	32.9
Jan 1994	51.0
Jan 1993	54.0
Jan 1992	45.3
Jan 1991	39.5
Jan 1990	29.1

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 Norway's general government to its creditors. It is usually expressed as a share of GDP to gauge sustainability.

How it's calculated

It is compiled by adding the gross liabilities of general government (debt securities, loans and other liabilities). The reference figure comes from the IMF World Economic Outlook, is annual and is expressed as a percentage of GDP and in absolute Norwegian krone terms.

Market implications

Norway's gross debt is misleading: thanks to its vast sovereign wealth fund, the country is a net creditor with one of the strongest financial positions in the world. Its sovereign creditworthiness is therefore top-tier and its risk premium minimal, whatever the gross reading.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency figure subject to revision. For Norway, the gross figure tells little without the sovereign fund's assets; net debt gives a far more favourable picture of sustainability.