What are External Debts?

External debt can be defined as the debt borrowed by the government from outside the country. Sources for external debts can include foreign governments, International Monetary Funds (IMF), World Bank, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI), etc. The government is forced to borrow funds from external sources when the internal sources do not have adequate funds to support the operations of the government. External debts are voluntary in nature. The nature of External debts is more complex as compared to Internal debts as it uses the concept of foreign currency. The government offers money from external sources to boost its economy after facing any economic crunch, to invest in multiple sectors, etc.

Key Takeaways from External Debts:

  • External debts are the debts that the government needs to borrow from external sources to fund its operations.
  • Lack of availability of funds from internal sources forces the government to borrow funds from external sources.
  • External debts are more complex as they use the concept of foreign currency and the involvement of people outside the country.
  • Interest rates on external debts are generally lower than it is on internal debts but may offer better repayment terms.

External Debt | Types, Effects, Merits and Demerits

External Debt can be defined as money borrowed from outside the country from sources like foreign governments, International Monetary Funds (IMF), Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI), etc. As people and businesses sometimes need to borrow money to pay their expenses, the same goes for the government of any country. The government sometimes may need to borrow money from either inside the country or outside the country. The borrowed money is known as Debt, and the modes of borrowing money can be classified into two categories – External Debt and Internal Debt.

Similar Reads

What are External Debts?

External debt can be defined as the debt borrowed by the government from outside the country. Sources for external debts can include foreign governments, International Monetary Funds (IMF), World Bank, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI), etc. The government is forced to borrow funds from external sources when the internal sources do not have adequate funds to support the operations of the government. External debts are voluntary in nature. The nature of External debts is more complex as compared to Internal debts as it uses the concept of foreign currency. The government offers money from external sources to boost its economy after facing any economic crunch, to invest in multiple sectors, etc....

Examples of External Debts

At the end of March 2023, India’s external debt amounted to USD 624.7 billion and it was USD 5.6 billion more than the year March 2022. In case, country A needs funds to recover from the effects of natural disasters, and country B is ready to help, then country A should take the loan and repay it timely to avoid the negative impact of external debts....

Types of External Debts

External debts are generally of three types, namely Public and Publicly Guaranteed Debts, Loans offered by IMF, and Non-Guaranteed Private Sector External Debt. These three are explained below:...

Effects of External Debts

External debts are debts borrowed from external sources and use the concept of foreign currency. External debts affect the level of a country on a deeper level. Countries heavily reliant on external debts are more vulnerable to economic downturns. A sudden drop in revenue or an increase in interest rates can worsen their debt situations. Further, If a country borrows in foreign currencies, fluctuations in exchange rates can lead to increased debt servicing costs, especially if depreciation of currency takes place. High levels of external debt can lead to lower credit ratings, making it more expensive for a country to borrow in the future....

Significance of External Debts

1. Investment in Infrastructure and Development: External debts can provide a country with the necessary funds to invest in infrastructure projects, such as building roads, bridges, and power plants, which can drive economic growth....

Limitations of External Debts

1. Debt burden: Excessive external debts can become a burden on a country’s finances. Interest payments and principal repayments can strain government budgets, diverting resources away from essential services....

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