Economy

Brazil’s public debt down 3.07% to BRL 5.76 tri in January

The large volume of fixed-rate securities helped bring it down

Wellton Máximo

Published on 01/03/2023 - 15:25

Brasília

Dinheiro, Real Moeda brasileira
Foto: José Cruz/Agência Brasil/Arquivo — © José Cruz/Agência Brasil/Arquivo

Brazil’s public debt rose from BRL 5.951 trillion in December to BRL 5.769 trillion in January, down 3.07 percent. The large volume of fixed-rate securities maturing in January caused the debt to start the year on the wane, as per figures released Tuesday (Feb. 28) by the National Treasury.

Despite the reduction, the Treasury expects the debt to surge in the coming months, with its stock closing out 2023 between BRL 6.4 trillion and BRL 6.8 trillion.

Holders

Financial institutions continue to be the main holders of the federal debt, with a 27.3 percent slice of the stock. Investment funds, amounting to 24.4 percent, and pension funds, with 23.6 percent, are next on the list of Brazil’s debt holders.

The share of foreigners rose from 9.4 percent in December to 9.8 percent in January. The expansion occurred despite the turbulence in international markets. Other groups total 14.9 percent.