When nations suffer recessions, trade disruptions, or shortages of foreign currency,
they often turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for emergency loans. These financial packages help stabilize budgets, repay other debt, and support international trade obligations.
However, borrowing from the IMF comes with strict policies and conditions that require austerity and increased taxes for long-term economic stability. While some countries successfully graduate from these programs, others carry seemingly never-ending balances due to structural challenges or unexpected crises.
In this gallery, we examine the 15 countries with the highest outstanding IMF debt, and the complex economic pressures shaping their financial stability. Click on to know more.
All figures in USD.