Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament on Tuesday that Bangladesh’s total foreign debt has reached approximately $78 billion as of February 2026.
Replying to a starred question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), the minister said the government’s outstanding external debt stood at $78,067.20 million, based on the latest accounts up to February 2026.
He explained that the Economic Relations Division (ERD) handles repayment of foreign loans on behalf of the government. Each fiscal year, the ERD prepares projections for debt servicing, including both principal and interest payments, and allocates necessary funds in the national budget.
According to the minister, loan repayments are made throughout the year following a structured schedule from budgetary provisions.
Providing historical figures, he said Bangladesh received a total of $85,992.64 million in foreign loans between the 2008-09 and 2025–26 fiscal years. During the same period, the government repaid $22,328.47 million in principal and $8,696.82 million in interest.
He further noted that as of 30 December 2025, the foreign debt level stood at $77,279.12 million, indicating a gradual rise over time.
Extending the timeline from the 2007-08 fiscal year to February 2025-26, the minister said total foreign borrowing reached $87,396.03 million, while principal repayments amounted to $22,050.79 million.
He added that as a result of cumulative borrowing and repayments, Bangladesh’s foreign debt increased by $65,346.24 million over the period under review.
The figures reflect both rising development financing needs and the government’s ongoing debt servicing obligations as part of its broader fiscal management strategy.
