Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek assessed Türkiye’s latest debt stock data, saying that the low level of indebtedness was one of the key factors strengthening the economy’s resilience to global risks.
According to the data Şimşek shared, the combined debt of the public sector, financial sector, private sector and households stood at 91% of national income in Türkiye. The average was 229% in emerging markets and 306% worldwide.
Şimşek drew attention to the fact that Türkiye’s total debt ratio was well below international averages, saying that the low level of debt provided Türkiye with room to maneuver against potential fluctuations in the global economy.
Şimşek also shared data on public debt, announcing that the public debt-to-GDP ratio had fallen to 23.1% in the first quarter of 2026. Şimşek said this was a historic low.
Second-quarter data on Türkiye’s gross external debt stock were also released. The gross external debt stock stood at $539 billion. Şimşek said they expected the external debt-to-national-income ratio to remain steady at 31.8%.
Minister Şimşek emphasized that the current debt structure provided the Turkish economy with significant flexibility, particularly during periods of heightened global uncertainty.
In Şimşek’s assessment, one of the key points was that Türkiye’s total debt-to-national-income ratio of 91% was significantly below both the 229% average in emerging markets and the global average of 306%.
Şimşek said low indebtedness would continue to be one of the key factors supporting the resilience of the Turkish economy as it confronts challenging global conditions.
