In January 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In early 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 21 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at 0.5 percent in January 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 9.9 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.

Abstract

The Survey on Interest Rate Controls 2020 was conducted as a World Bank Group study on interest rate controls (IRCs) in lending and deposit markets around the world. The study aims to identify the different types of formal (or de jure) controls, the countries that apply then, how they implement them, and the reasons for doing so. The objective of the study is to advance knowledge on this topic by providing an evidence base for investigating the impact of IRCs on economic outcomes.

The survey investigates present IRCs in each surveyed country, the reasons why they have been applied, the framework and resources associated with their application and the details as to their level and functioning. The focus is on legal forms of control (i.e. codified into law) as opposed to de facto controls. The new database on interest rate controls, a popular form of financial repression is based on a survey of 108 countries, representing 88 percent of global gross domestic product. The interest rate controls presented in this dataset were in effect in 2019.

Geographic coverage

Global Survey, covering 108 countries, representing 88 percent of global GDP.

Analysis unit

Regulation at the national level.

Universe

Banking supervisors and Local Banking Associations.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

Bank supervisors and banking associations were provided with a standard excel file with five parts. The survey was structured in five parts, each placed in a different excel sheet. Part A: Introduction. Countries with no IRCs in place were asked to only answer this sheet and leave the rest blank. Part B: Presented the definitions of controls, institutions, products and additional aspects that will be covered in the survey. Part C: Introduced a set of qualitative questions to describe the IRCs in place. Part D: Displayed a set of tables to quantitatively describe the IRCs in place. Part E: Laid out the final set of questions, covering sanctions and control mechanisms that support the IRCs' enforcement. The questionnaire is provided in the Documentation section in pdf and excel.

This dataset provides values for INTEREST RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Since 2010, the long-term interest rates decreased overall in each of seven countries considered. In 2022, the long-term interest rate in the United States amounted to 2.95 percent. That year, the long-term interest rate in Germany stood at 1.14

Japan JP: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 0.769 % pa in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.978 % pa for 2015. Japan JP: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 2.802 % pa from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2016, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.125 % pa in 1983 and a record low of -12.450 % pa in 1970. Japan JP: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

With average lending interest rates of less than three percent in 2023, Switzerland was the country with the lowest cost of borrowing money among the ones selected here. The average lending interest rate in China was 4.35 percent, and in South Korea it was roughly 5.2 percent. The average interest rate in the United States was 3.25 in 2021, the latest available data, but the prime rate charged by banks in that country has increased since then.

United States US: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 2.208 % pa in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.152 % pa for 2015. United States US: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 3.162 % pa from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2016, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.720 % pa in 1981 and a record low of -1.280 % pa in 1975. United States US: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

From 2010 to 2017, Australia had the highest short-term interest rate among selected countries worldwide. Afterward, its rates became more aligned with those of Canada and the United States. The lowest short-term interest rates during this period were found in the Euro area and Japan, as well as in the United States until 2015, where rates remained below 1 percent. In 2021, all regions except Japan experienced a decrease in interest rates. However, in the following years, rates increased again to between 3 and 5 percent, with the exception of Japan, which maintained an interest rate close to zero.

The mortgage credit interest rate is the average interest rate on mortgage loan products offered to individuals and households by the commercial banks in the country. The mortgage credit is a loan used to finance the purchase of real estate. The table shows the latest available data from the national authorities as well as the values from three months ago and one year ago. The data are updated continuously.

Real interest rate (%) in Singapore was reported at --4.5471 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Singapore - Real interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Serbia RS: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 4.079 % pa in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.644 % pa for 2013. Serbia RS: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging -3.534 % pa from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2014, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.079 % pa in 2014 and a record low of -12.507 % pa in 2002. Serbia RS: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Serbia – Table RS.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

Nepal NP: Real Interest Rate data was reported at -6.207 % pa in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of -6.823 % pa for 2009. Nepal NP: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 3.657 % pa from Dec 1975 (Median) to 2010, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.214 % pa in 1977 and a record low of -12.173 % pa in 1975. Nepal NP: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nepal – Table NP.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

From January 2022 to July 2024, a global trend emerged as almost all advanced and emerging economies increased their central bank policy rates. This widespread tightening of monetary policy was in response to inflationary pressures and economic challenges. However, a shift occurred in the latter half of 2024, with most countries beginning to lower their rates, potentially signaling a new phase in the global economic cycle and monetary policy approach.

Real interest rate (%) in Thailand was reported at 3.0286 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Thailand - Real interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

This dataset provides values for INTEREST RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The benchmark interest rate in Japan was last recorded at 0.50 percent. This dataset provides - Japan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.65 percent. This dataset provides - Euro Area Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Mexico MX: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 1.137 % pa in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.627 % pa for 2016. Mexico MX: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 2.566 % pa from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2017, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.142 % pa in 1995 and a record low of -13.174 % pa in 1993. Mexico MX: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

Mortgage interest rates worldwide varied greatly in 2024, from less than four percent in many European countries, to as high as 44 percent in Turkey. The average mortgage rate in a country depends on the central bank's base lending rate and macroeconomic indicators such as inflation and forecast economic growth. Since 2022, inflationary pressures have led to rapid increase in mortgage interest rates. Which are the leading mortgage markets? An easy way to estimate the importance of the mortgage sector in each country is by comparing household debt depth, or the ratio of the debt held by households compared to the county's GDP. In 2023, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada had some of the highest household debt to GDP ratios worldwide. While this indicator shows the size of the sector relative to the country’s economy, the value of mortgages outstanding allows to compare the market size in different countries. In Europe, for instance, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France were the largest mortgage markets by outstanding mortgage lending. Mortgage lending trends in the U.S. In the United States, new mortgage lending soared in 2021. This was largely due to the growth of new refinance loans that allow homeowners to renegotiate their mortgage terms and replace their existing loan with a more favorable one. Following the rise in interest rates, the mortgage market cooled, and refinance loans declined.

Real interest rate (%) in South Africa was reported at 6.3888 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Real interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.