In August 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 August 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 18 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 -0.4 percent in August 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 8.1 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.

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 average for 2023 based on 87 countries was 4.42 percent. The highest value was in Madagascar: 41.3 percent and the lowest value was in Zimbabwe: -73.54 percent. The indicator is available from 1961 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loans are public and publicly guaranteed debt extended by the World Bank Group. IBRD loans are made to, or guaranteed by, countries that are members of IBRD. IBRD may also make loans to IFC. IBRD lends at market rates. Data are in U.S. dollars calculated using historical rates. This dataset contains the latest available snapshot of the Statement of Loans. The World Bank complies with all sanctions applicable to World Bank transactions.

The average for 2023 based on 88 countries was 14.12 percent. The highest value was in Zimbabwe: 170.29 percent and the lowest value was in Switzerland: 2.86 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Since 2010, long-term interest rates generally declined across each of the ***** countries considered until 2021, but rose thereafter. In 2024, the long-term interest rate in the United States amounted to **** percent. That year, the long-term interest rate in Germany stood at **** percent.

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.; ;

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.; ;

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 *** percent. In 2021, all regions except Japan experienced a decrease in interest rates. However, in the following years, rates increased. As of 2024 short term interest rates rested as roughly *** percent for Australia and Canada, *** in the Euro area, and over **** percent in the U.S.. Japan had the lowest rate at **** percent.

BI: Real Interest Rate data was reported at -0.131 % pa in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of -5.543 % pa for 2022. BI: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 4.875 % pa from Dec 1978 (Median) to 2023, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.229 % pa in 1981 and a record low of -16.679 % pa in 2000. BI: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Burundi – Table BI.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 2003 to 2025, the central banks of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union exhibited remarkably similar interest rate patterns, reflecting shared global economic conditions. In the early 2000s, rates were initially low to stimulate growth, then increased as economies showed signs of overheating prior to 2008. The financial crisis that year prompted sharp rate cuts to near-zero levels, which persisted for an extended period to support economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to further rate reductions to historic lows, aiming to mitigate economic fallout. However, surging inflation in 2022 triggered a dramatic policy shift, with the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank significantly raising rates to curb price pressures. As inflation stabilized in late 2023 and early 2024, the ECB and Bank of England initiated rate cuts by mid-2024, and the Federal Reserve also implemented its first cut in three years, with forecasts suggesting a gradual decrease in all major interest rates between 2025 and 2026. Divergent approaches within the European Union While the ECB sets a benchmark rate for the Eurozone, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies to address their unique economic circumstances. For instance, Hungary set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by October 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented more aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to two percent by June 2025, the lowest among EU members. These variations highlight the complex economic landscape that European central banks must navigate, balancing inflation control with economic growth support. Global context and future outlook The interest rate changes in major economies have had far-reaching effects on global financial markets. Government bond yields, for example, reflect these policy shifts and investor sentiment. As of December 2024, the United States had the highest 10-year government bond yield among developed economies at 4.59 percent, while Switzerland had the lowest at 0.27 percent. These rates serve as important benchmarks for borrowing costs and economic expectations worldwide.

The deposit interest rate is the average interest rate, in percent, on one year term deposits offered by the commercial banks to the household sector. 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.

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.

Real interest rate (%) in Thailand was reported at 3.212 % in 2024, 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 October of 2025.

Real interest rate (%) in Indonesia was reported at 7.8342 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Indonesia - Real interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

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.

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, signaling a new phase in the global economic cycle and monetary policy approach. Since September 2023, ****** has consistently held the highest interest rate among the observed countries.

The business credit interest rate is the average interest rate on the loan products offered by commercial banks to non-financial corporations. The business credit is a credit specifically intended for business purposes including secured and unsecured business loans to small or large business with variable or fixed interest rate. 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.

Brazil BR: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 37.208 % pa in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 28.396 % pa for 2022. Brazil BR: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 35.367 % pa from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2023, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.617 % pa in 1998 and a record low of 15.011 % pa in 2021. Brazil BR: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.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 **** percent in 2024, Switzerland was the country with the lowest cost of borrowing money among the ones selected here. The average lending interest rate in China was **** percent, and in South Korea it was roughly **** percent. The average interest rate in Israel was **** in 2022, the latest available data, but the prime rate charged by banks in that country has increased since then.