Joint Bank-Fund Note on Public Sector Debt Definitions and Reporting in Low-Income Developing Countries - Executive Summary - January 31, 2020

Jul 19, 2026

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Increasing public debt vulnerabilities in low-income developing countries (LIDCs) drive the need for fuller, more transparent accounting of public sector debt (PSD). The note explains that the PSD reporting framework is sound, aligned with the Public Sector Debt Statistics guide, and supports debt sustainability analysis under the LIC-DSF. It also identifies gaps: limited coverage in the Quarterly PSDS database, inconsistent national debt definitions, and weaknesses from capacity limits and unclear legal frameworks. Priority actions emphasize capacity development, institutional reforms, and improved public dissemination.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Public Sector Debt Statistics

International Statistical Definition

Public Debt Data in LIC-DSF

Reporting and Dissemination of Public Sector Debt Data of LIDCs

Statistical Reporting Systems

Data Dissemination Systems

National Reporting Systems

Reporting to International Databases and for LIC Debt Sustainability Analysis

Statistical treatment of complex debt-creating arrangements

Factors Limiting Reporting of Debt Data by LIDCs

Priorities to improve public debt data availability

Figures and Tables

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND JOINT BANK-FUND NOTE ON PUBLIC SECTOR DEBT DEFINITIONS AND REPORTING IN LOW-INCOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES January 31, 2020 Prepared by the staffs ofthe International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group Approved by Marcello Estevão (World Bank) Kristina Kostial and R.J. Rosales (IMF) Prepared by a World Bank team led by Diego Rivetti (EMFMD) under the guidance of Doerte Doemeland (EMFMD), with inputs from Evis Rucaj and Rubena Sukaj (DEC); and by an IMF team led by Dalia Hakura (SPR) and Andrew Kitili (STA) under the guidance of Mark Flanagan (SPR), with inputs from Charlotte Lundgren and Keiichi Nakatani (SPR) and Noriaki Kinoshita (STA) . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Increasing public debt vulnerabilities in low-income developing countries (LIDCs) have heightened the need for fuller and more transparent accounting of public sector debt (PSD). Public debt transparency is a key prerequisite for effective risk assessment in support of sustainable borrowing and lending practices. However, due to several factors the accounting of PSD in many LIDCs is suboptimal, insufficiently transparent, and may lead to “debt surprises.”In addition, changes in the financing landscape of LIDCs require more clarity about public sector coverage and the statistical treatment of complex and increasingly diverse debt instruments. The framework for reporting on public sector debt is sound. The international statistical standard as described in the Public Sector Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users (PSDS Guide) provides clear definitions and statistical treatment of all debt-related arrangements including of complex debt instruments. Debt data requirements for the LowIncome Countries Debt Sustainability Framework (LIC-DSF) are closely aligned with the international statistical standard and have been adjusted to better capture debt sustainability and vulnerabilities. Notwithstanding the inadequacies in public sector reporting by the authorities, policy engagements around DSAs and tools and stress tests embedded in the LIC-DSF help to compensate for potential gaps in debt reporting. But there is room for LIDCs to further improve their compilation, reporting, and dissemination of public sector debt data in international databases and more broadly the public domain. Debt data reporting to the Quarterly PSDS database is limited to less than one third of LIDCs (17 countries) and there are considerable differences across countries in national debt definitions. Weaknesses in compilation and reporting of data stem from capacity constraints, weak legal and institutional frameworks, and unclear definition of public debt under national laws. Debt reporting can also suffer from inconsistencies. Several policy priorities arise. Capacity development and institutional reforms in the area of debt data recording and reporting are critical for producing better debt reports. In addition, countries should be encouraged to make more comprehensive and timely debt data available publicly in their national summary data page and through IFIs. In this context, the focus should be on the Quarterly PSDS database and encouraging reporting of additional granular information (e.g., collateralization features of loans and domestic debt) through the Debtor Reporting System (DRS) loan-by-loan debt reporting to the World Bank. To that end, LIDCs would need to overcome impediments for statistical reporting, and the World Bank and the IMF would need to provide required support for capacity development (e.g., the newly-introduced IMF online course on PSDS and scaled-up technical assistance on debt reporting) . These steps would complement the ongoing efforts to expand debt coverage in DSAs. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................

FAQs

Why is public sector debt reporting more important for low-income developing countries?

Increasing public debt vulnerabilities heighten the need for fuller and more transparent PSD accounting to improve risk assessment and reduce the risk of “debt surprises.”

What international standards does the reporting framework rely on?

The framework aligns with the Public Sector Debt Statistics guide for compilers and users, providing clear definitions and statistical treatment for debt-related arrangements, including complex instruments.

What factors limit debt data reporting by LIDCs?

Limits stem from capacity constraints, weak legal and institutional frameworks, unclear national definitions of public debt, and potential inconsistencies in compilation and reporting.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Miles