Credit Rating by Country 2025

There are several countries in the world that have very high credit ratings. Of note, there are multiple organizations that provide credit ratings, so the credit ratings can vary by country and by the rating agency. In general, countries that are fully developed have higher credit ratings. For example, the United States currently has a credit rating of AA+, which is the second-highest credit rating a country can have. Several countries in Europe and Asia have the very highest possible rating, AAA: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, and Switzerland.

What Is the Lowest Credit Rating a Country Can Have?

There are several particularly low credit ratings that a company can receive. There are some companies that rate certain countries as having a credit rating of “junk.” This is the same term used to refer to “junk” bonds, which means they are generally worthless. There are some credit ratings that use a formal rating of “SD,” which stands for selective default. This means that some countries choose not to pay back some of their bonds, which means that investors should think twice before purchasing them.

Aside from these ratings, the lowest credit rating that a country can receive is CCC. This is the only credit rating that is above “junk” or “SD,” and it is not a credit rating that a country should have.

Are There Countries That Default on Their Bonds?

Yes, there are some countries that have defaulted on their bonds. In general, these are countries that are still developing, so their economies are not yet strong enough to sustain some of the bonds they hand out. As of December 2024, the countries with an SD rating were Ethiopia, Ghana, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Ukraine (impacted by its war with Russia), and Zambia. Of note, the Russian economy also took a major hit because of the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s credit rating was changed to RD (“Rating Withdrawn”) and the country was suspended from many global credit and payment platforms. Several other countries have received a credit rating of CCC. They include Argentina, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Suriname. Credit ratings are reassessed from time to time, so these ratings can change from time to time as well.

Why Do Country Credit Ratings Matter?

There are several reasons why country credit ratings matter. First, they matter because they influence whether their population will buy their bonds or not. If a country has a low credit rating, it could be very hard for it to raise money. The other reason why country credit ratings matter is that they influence whether that country can receive loans from other countries. For example, if one country needs money, and may try to borrow money from that other country. If the country does not have a very high credit rating, it might have a hard time finding another country to loan it money because there is no guarantee the money will ever be paid back.