, Dec. 9 -- Bangladesh's external debt rose to USD 104,487 million in 2024, up from USD 101,371 million the previous year, driven by higher interest payments despite a slowdown in fresh disbursements, according to the World Bank's International Debt Report 2025 published last week.

The country recorded net debt inflows of USD 5,769 million in 2024.

The long-term disbursements, however, decreased to USD 11,099 million, compared with USD 12,844 million in 2023, reflecting a tightening of external financing conditions.

Long-term interest payments showed a marked increase, reaching USD 2,443 million in 2024 from USD 1,721 million a year earlier. Interest payments on public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) long-term debt climbed to USD 1,899 m...