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.

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

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.

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 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.

Key information about Germany Long Term Interest Rate

• Germany Long Term Interest Rate: Month Avg: Germany: ECB Harmonised was reported at 2.18 % pa in Dec 2024, compared with 2.31 % pa in the previous month.
• Germany Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1990 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 9.09 % pa in Oct 1990 and a record low of -0.65 % pa in Aug 2019.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by CEIC Data.

• In the latest reports, Germany Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: EURIBOR: 3 Months was reported at -0.57 % pa in Nov 2021.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Main Refinancing Operations) was set at 3.15 % pa in Dec 2024.
• Germany Exchange Rate against USD averaged 0.92 (USD/EUR) in Jun 2023.

Vietnam VN: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 3.145 % pa in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.785 % pa for 2016. Vietnam VN: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 4.167 % pa from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2017, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.577 % pa in 1993 and a record low of -6.553 % pa in 2005. Vietnam VN: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.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.; ;

As of August 2023, the country with the highest deposit interest rate worldwide was Argentina, where the interest rate was as high as 113 percent. Second in the list came an African country, Zimbabwe, where the interest rate reached 110 percent.

Iraq IQ: Lending Interest Rate data was reported at 12.293 % pa in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.603 % pa for 2014. Iraq IQ: Lending Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 13.999 % pa from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2015, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.215 % pa in 2008 and a record low of 12.293 % pa in 2015. Iraq IQ: Lending Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iraq – Table IQ.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Lending rate is the bank rate that usually meets the short- and medium-term financing needs of the private sector. This rate is normally differentiated according to creditworthiness of borrowers and objectives of financing. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; ;

Brazil BR: Lending Interest Rate data was reported at 43.600 % pa in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 39.400 % pa for 2022. Brazil BR: Lending Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 44.650 % pa from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2023, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86.363 % pa in 1998 and a record low of 27.392 % pa in 2013. Brazil BR: Lending 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. Lending rate is the bank rate that usually meets the short- and medium-term financing needs of the private sector. This rate is normally differentiated according to creditworthiness of borrowers and objectives of financing. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.;International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.;;

Montenegro ME: Interest Rate Spread data was reported at 6.906 % pa in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.475 % pa for 2015. Montenegro ME: Interest Rate Spread data is updated yearly, averaging 6.300 % pa from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2016, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.475 % pa in 2015 and a record low of 4.122 % pa in 2007. Montenegro ME: Interest Rate Spread data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Montenegro – Table ME.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Interest rate spread is the interest rate charged by banks on loans to private sector customers minus the interest rate paid by commercial or similar banks for demand, time, or savings deposits. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; Median;

Pakistan PK: Deposit Interest Rate data was reported at 4.478 % pa in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.834 % pa for 2016. Pakistan PK: Deposit Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 6.445 % pa from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2017, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.681 % pa in 2009 and a record low of 1.634 % pa in 2004. Pakistan PK: Deposit Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Interest Rates. Deposit interest rate is the rate paid by commercial or similar banks for demand, time, or savings deposits. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; ;

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.

Global Interest Rate Spread (Lending Rate Minus Deposit Rate) by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Key information about China Long Term Interest Rate

• China Treasury Bond Yield: Interbank: Spot Yield: 10 year was reported at 1.64 % pa in Jan 2025, compared with 1.69 % pa in the previous month.
• China Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jul 2008 to Jan 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4.63 % pa in Dec 2013 and a record low of 1.64 % pa in Jan 2025.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by National Interbank Funding Center.

• In the latest reports, China Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: SHIBOR: 3 Months was reported at 1.70 % pa in Jan 2025.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: China: Rediscount Rate) was set at 2.65 % pa in Jun 2023.
• China Exchange Rate against USD averaged 7.16 (USD/RMB) in Jun 2023.

Throughout 2022, central bank benchmark interest rates were hiked in most Asia-Pacific countries and territories. The State Bank of Pakistan set the highest interest rate in the region throughout the year, raising it from 9.75 percent in January to 15 percent as of October 2022. September 2022 saw the central banks of all Southeast Asian economies as well as India and Taiwan raise benchmark interest rates in order to curb inflation.

Hungary HU: Interest Rate Spread data was reported at 1.361 % pa in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.508 % pa for 2016. Hungary HU: Interest Rate Spread data is updated yearly, averaging 2.839 % pa from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.775 % pa in 1993 and a record low of 1.361 % pa in 2017. Hungary HU: Interest Rate Spread data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hungary – Table HU.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Interest rate spread is the interest rate charged by banks on loans to private sector customers minus the interest rate paid by commercial or similar banks for demand, time, or savings deposits. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; Median;

Key Interest Rate: Central Banks data was reported at 2.000 % in 2026. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.375 % for 2025. Key Interest Rate: Central Banks data is updated yearly, averaging 0.719 % from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2026, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.625 % in 2023 and a record low of -0.500 % in 2021. Key Interest Rate: Central Banks data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.OECD.EO: Interest Rate: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual.

Netherlands Official Interest Rate: Statutory data was reported at 2.000 % pa in Nov 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.000 % pa for Oct 2018. Netherlands Official Interest Rate: Statutory data is updated monthly, averaging 5.000 % pa from Jan 1934 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 1019 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.000 % pa in Jun 1993 and a record low of 2.000 % pa in Nov 2018. Netherlands Official Interest Rate: Statutory data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by De Nederlandsche Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.M004: Money Market Interest Rates.

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.