Covid-19 and development: debt dynamics and sustainability
Channel: Institute of Development Studies
Date: 11/03/2021

Global debt is higher than ever before in recent history. Debt pressures are elevated in many developing countries. Progress achieved over the last 20 years in areas such as poverty, hunger, education, and equality is been reversed. Tackling this challenge and avoiding a new domino of socially destructive debt crises in developing countries, requires both urgent action and a rethinking of the existing global debt architecture. 


This Sussex Development Lecture focuses on the nature and challenges posed by current debt dynamics and the ability of the existing international Debt Sustainability Framework to address them. Based on our research, we discuss what is happening on the ground, how the current debt conundrum relates to broader sustainability transition dynamics, and where we can/should go from here.