Vietnam’s public debt is forecast to stand at 28.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, placing the country among the 20 economies with the lowest public debt ratios worldwide, according to data from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) October 2026 World Economic Outlook.
In many of the world’s largest economies, public debt has already exceeded the size of their respective economies. However, debt levels vary considerably, reflecting differences in borrowing requirements, economic conditions and public finances.
The debt ratio compares total government debt, including debt incurred by central, state and local governments, with the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The ranking covers only economies with populations of at least one million.
According to the report, Sudan has the world’s highest estimated public debt ratio, at 334.4% of GDP, far exceeding that of any other economy. Japan ranks second at 199.4%, followed by Singapore at 166.4%.
At the other end of the spectrum, economies with some of the lowest public debt ratios include several high-income jurisdictions, such as Denmark, Taiwan (China) and Hong Kong (China).
Vietnam’s projected ratio of 28.3% places it among the economies with comparatively low levels of public debt relative to the size of their economies.
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