UNCTAD’S REPORT ON GROWING PUBLIC DEBT
UNCTAD’S REPORT ON
GROWING PUBLIC DEBT
§ ‘A
World of Debt Report 2024: A growing burden to global prosperity’ released by
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
§ Report
highlights alarming surge in global public debt and proposes a plan to revamp
global financial system to tackle current debt crisis.
§ Public
debt refers to general government domestic and external debt.
Key highlights of
Report
§ Debt
surge: In 2023, global public debt reached historic peak of $97 trillion.
§ Drivers:
Cascading crises and sluggish and uneven performance of global economy.
§ Regional
Disparity: Public debt in developing countries (accounting for 30% of global
total) is rising at twice the rate of developed countries.
§ In
2023, India’s public debt reached US$ 2.9 trillion, accounting for 82.7% as a
share of GDP.
What are the implications of high public debt?
§ High
levels of public debt can lead to several economic challenges.
§ It
may increase the burden of interest payments, diverting funds from essential
services. Additionally, excessive debt can strain fiscal sustainability,
leading to higher taxes, inflation, or cuts in public spending.
§ Moreover,
it may negatively impact investor confidence and hinder long-term economic
growth.
How does public debt
affect future generations?
§ High
levels of public debt can burden future generations by requiring them to pay
off the debt through higher taxes or reduced government services. This can
limit their economic opportunities and impose constraints on policy choices.
§ Moreover,
escalating debt levels may constrain investments in education, infrastructure,
and other areas critical for future prosperity.
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