What would happen if debt service in Commonwealth countries was capped at 10% of government revenue?
Debt Justice and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) published a report entitled Debt Crisis in the Commonwealth: A call for UK Global Leadership. The GRADE tool was used to analyse the potential if debt service in 21 commonwealth countires was capped at 10% of government revenue.
This report was launched at the Scottish Government Round Table event in Glasgow on 21st July 2026. See also, the Scottish Government’s GLASGOW STATEMENT
A submission to the call by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education.
In 2026, the GRADE team and partners made a submission to the call by the Special Rapporteur, highlighting the importance of Extra Territorial Obligation to children’s right to education.
Analysis and findings
GRADE was used to analyse the potential if governments had additional revenue equivalent to their external debt service in 2024 (Debt Justice) for 121 countries, as a percentage of government revenue.
The findings for all countries are summarised, showing the sum of the numbers who would have access to critical services and the average percentage of those who currently do not have access. For example, on average, 18% of those without access to basic water would gain access if the external debt service were cancelled and many millions would benefit from a reduction in external debt.
See our:
- Working paper: O’Hare B and Hall S 2024. An analysis of the impact of debt service on human rights.
- Debt briefs for the country by country analysis.
2024 campaign
GRADE estimates were used in the Debt Justice 2024 campaign which is ongoing.
In the news
The Debt Justice campaign featured in the Guardian.
Dr Bernadette O’Hare from the University of St Andrews said:
There is the potential for huge increases in welfare in highly indebted countries if debt was reduced to sustainable levels. These countries are often extremely vulnerable to climate change and many governments must reallocate resources after extreme climate events.
ACET
GRADEs work was used by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Reforming the Global Financial Landscape
Healthy debt on a healthy planet
GRADE simulations were used in an open letter writted on behalf of commissioners and experts contributing to Healthy Debt on a Healthy Planet, The UNSG’s Expert Review on Debt, and The Jubilee Report.
In the Guardian
This letter featured in the Guardian in an article entitled Urgent calls for debt relief as study shows health and education cuts in developing world.
