Debt-to-GDP ratio eases closer to int'l threshold

The country’s outstanding debt, as a share to the overall economy, is about to break below the internationally accepted threshold in the third quarter following the stronger-thanexpected economic performance.

- LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON

Following the 5.9 percent gross domestic product (GDP) print in the third quarter, data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that the share of national debt to the country’s output eased to 60.2 percent.

This is lower than the 61 percent in the previous quarter and signifi cantly below the 63.6 percent debt-to-GDP ratio in the same period last year.

As of end-September, the national debt slightly eased to P14.268 trillion.

The current debt-to-GDP ratio is now just slightly above the internationally accepted threshold of 60 percent.