Which countries owe the IMF the most money in 2025?

"Discussions this week have focused on global economic headwinds, as the IMF warns of signs of distress following US trade tariffs and protectionism. The IMF is widely seen as a lender of last resort, only stepping in when countries face severe financial crises and cannot access usual borrowing channels. Its loans, however, often come with strict conditions which can result in austerity measures and deepen social and economic hardships, making the loans a double-edged sword."

"Founded in 1944 during World War II at the Bretton Woods Conference in New Hampshire, US, the IMF was established to help stabilise the post-war global economy. Now based in Washington, DC, it has since grown from 44 founding members to 191 today and works closely with the United Nations and other international organisations to support global financial stability. It does this by providing policy advice, short-term financial assistance and capacity development to countries and institutions."

"This quota is used to set how much the country contributes, how much it can borrow and how much voting power it has. Overall, the IMF has a total lending capacity of about $1 trillion. When the IMF lends money, it draws on the pooled resources of its member countries. Wealthier and more stable economies often act as creditors, supplying the funds the IMF uses to provide loans. In return, these creditor countries earn interest on their contributions."

At least 86 countries owe the IMF more than $162bn, spanning nations from Argentina to Egypt. Central bankers and financial delegates met in Washington, DC for the IMF and World Bank annual meetings to address global economic headwinds and signs of distress linked to US trade tariffs and protectionism. The IMF functions as a lender of last resort, providing policy advice, short-term financial assistance and capacity development, but its loans often carry strict conditions that can impose austerity and worsen social hardships. Founded in 1944, the IMF has grown to 191 members, uses quota-based contributions to determine borrowing and voting power, and has a lending capacity around $1 trillion.

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