Sri Lanka’s net per capita debt has reached an alarming figure of Rs. 1.2 million as of December 31, 2022, according to the annual report of the Auditor General marking a staggering increase from Rs. 264,811 recorded on December 31, 2012.
The comparison of total public debt against the median annual population reveals a noteworthy trend, showcasing a 62.53% increase in net per capita debt when compared to the previous year.
As of December 31, 2021, the net per capita debt stood at Rs. 759,471, indicating a rise of Rs. 474,887 in just one year.
Net debt per capita is a crucial metric that measures the value of a government’s debt in terms of the amount attributed to each citizen within its jurisdiction.
The sharp rise in this figure raises concerns about the financial burden borne by the average Sri Lankan citizen.
In addition to the surge in net per capita debt, the report also highlights a significant increase in net borrowings, both domestic and foreign.
The figures reveal a spike of Rs. 1,865,589 million in net borrowings, further contributing to the country’s mounting debt burden in 2022.
Moreover, the payment of interest on loans has witnessed a substantial uptick, increasing by Rs. 516,807 million or 49.30% in the year under review as compared to the preceding year.
This emphasizes the challenges Sri Lanka faces in managing its debt obligations and servicing its financial commitments.
Economists and financial experts are closely monitoring these developments, expressing concerns about the long-term implications of the rising debt burden on the country’s economy.
In this context, the government is expected to face increased pressure to implement effective fiscal policies and debt management strategies to address this growing economic challenge.
-daily mirror
