Central Bank lowers estimate of Russia's external debt as of July 1 from $323 bln to $320.8 bln

MOSCOW. Sept 30 (Interfax) - The estimate of Russia's total external debt as of July 1, 2025, was lowered to $320.8 billion (14% of GDP over the last 12 months) and is preliminarily estimated at $323 billion, according to data published on the Central Bank of Russia's website.

Russia's external debt in Q2 2025 increased by $8.1 billion or 2.6% from $312.7 billion, after an increase in Q1 of $22.9 billion from $289.7 billion.

As a result, it increased by $31 billion or 10.7% in H1 2025.

The trends in the external debt were largely determined by the growth of the dollar equivalent of the debt due to the strengthening of the ruble, the Central Bank said in its commentary.

The external debt of other sectors of the economy increased in Q2 by $3.7 billion or 1.9% to $192.9 billion. It rose by $18.3 billion or 10.5% from $174.7 billion in H1.

At the same time, the debt of the banking sector (banks and the Central Bank of Russia) increased in Q2 by $3 billion or 2.9% to $104.4 billion. Over the half-year, it increased by $8.7 billion or 9.1% from $95.7 billion.

The debt of government bodies increased in Q2 by $1.4 billion or 6.6% to $23.4 billion; in H1 it rose by $4.1 billion or 21.3% from $19.3 billion.

Russia's external liabilities in 2024 decreased by $28.5 billion or 9%, from $318.3 billion to $289.7 billion.