Debt Sustainability Analysis for Market-Access Countries

Last Updated: May 22, 2013

The Fund’s approach to debt sustainability analysis differentiate between market-access countries, that typically have significant access to international capital markets, and low-income countries, which meet their external financings needs mostly through concessional resources. The assessments of public and external debt sustainability are conducted in the context of both IMF program design and reviews, and Article IV surveillance. The assessments are performed through standardized templates.

The framework for public debt sustainability analysis was reformed in 2011 and guidance to staff on the implementation of the new framework was introduced in May 2013.

The assessment of external debt sustainability continues to be anchored by the framework introduced in June 2002 (see "Assessing Sustainability"). This framework was subsequently refined in June 2003 and July 2005 (see "Sustainability Assessments-Review of Application and Methodological Refinements" and Information Note On Modifications To The Fund's Debt Sustainability Assessment Framework For Market-Access Countries).