Czech Republic’s foreign debt rises to CZK 5.68 trillion

The Czech Republic’s foreign debt stood at CZK 5.683 trillion at the end of last year, according to preliminary data released on Monday by the Czech National Bank (ČNB).

Year-on-year, the debt increased by CZK 423.2 billion, reaching 66.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. In the final quarter alone, foreign debt rose by CZK 127.2 billion.

Foreign debt represents the total of liabilities with a defined maturity. The private sector accounted for the majority share, making up 76.5 percent of the total external debt.

The remainder consisted of public sector liabilities, including obligations of government institutions, private sector liabilities guaranteed by the state, and debts of entities with majority state ownership that are classified outside the general government sector.