Colombia's external debt rises to US$238,721 million, nearing 55% of GDP again
Colombia's external debt has once again approached a level that has not gone unnoticed in recent years: 55% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
TL;DR
- Colombia's external debt is now US$238,721 million, or 54.8% of GDP, as of November 2025.
- This increase is largely attributed to methodological changes by the Bank of the Republic, including peso-denominated debt held by foreigners in external debt.
- The external debt grew by US$15,792 million from January to November 2025.
- The total external debt is composed of 14% short-term and 86% long-term obligations.
- Public sector external debt is 60% of the total, while private sector is 40%.
- Colombia faces a domestic debt service of nearly $130 trillion in 2026, the highest in years.
- The Minister of Finance warned of potential new financing needs if economic measures are suspended.