Country Default Spreads and Risk Premiums

Last updated: January 5, 2024

This table summarizes the latest bond ratings and appropriate default spreads for different countries. While you can use these numbers as rough estimates of country risk premiums, you may want to modify the premia to reflect the additonal risk of equity markets. To estimate the long term country equity risk premium, I start with a default spread, which I obtain in one of two ways:
(1) I use the local currency sovereign rating (from Moody's: www.moodys.com) and estimate the default spread for that rating (based upon traded country bonds) over a default free government bond rate. For countries without a Moody's rating but with an S&P rating, I use the Moody's equivalent of the S&P rating. To get the default spreads by sovereign rating, I use the CDS spreads and compute the average CDS spread by rating. Using that number as a basis, I extrapolate for those ratings for which I have no CDS spreads.
(2) I start with the CDS spread for the country, if one is available and subtract out the US CDS spread, since my mature market premium is derived from the US market. That difference becomes the country spread. For the few countries that have CDS spreads that are lower than the US, I will get a negative number.
You can add just this default spread to the mature market premium to arrive at the total equity risk premium. I add an additional step. In the short term especially, the equity country risk premium is likely to be greater than the country's default spread. You can estimate an adjusted country risk premium by multiplying the default spread by the relative equity market volatility for that market (Std dev in country equity market/Std dev in country bond).  Sicnce government   bonds are  not available or traded in most countries, I approximate the relative equity market volatility by estimating the standard deviations in two indices, the S&P emerging market equity index (for equities) and an iShares emerging market government bond ETF (for government bonds), and using that ratio for all countries to estimate the additional country risk premium. Finally, I add that country risk premium to my estimate of a mature market equity risk premium, for which I use the implied equity ris premium of the S&P 500.

Excel file with full country risk premium data: https://www.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/pc/datasets/ctryprem.xlsx
If you are interested in my approach to computing the equity risk premium, download my magnum opus (just kidding):
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4398884

And my paper on measuring country risk
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4161010

Country Adj. Default Spread Equity Risk Premium Country Risk Premium Corporate Tax Rate Moody's rating Sovereign CDS Spread
Abu Dhabi 0.54% 5.32% 0.72% 15.00% Aa2 0.75%
Albania 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 15.00% B1 NA
Algeria 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 26.00% NR 1.70%
Andorra (Principality of) 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 18.98% Baa2 NA
Angola 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 25.00% B3 7.82%
Anguilla 10.54% 18.75% 18.75% 27.25% NR NA
Antigua & Barbuda 10.54% 18.75% 18.75% 27.25% NR NA
Argentina 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 35.00% Ca 46.19%
Armenia 3.92% 9.86% 5.26% 18.00% Ba3 NA
Aruba 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 25.00% Baa2 NA
Australia 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 30.00% Aaa 0.26%
Austria 0.44% 5.18% 0.58% 24.00% Aa1 0.27%
Azerbaijan 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 20.00% Ba1 NA
Bahamas 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 0.00% B1 NA
Bahrain 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 0.00% B2 2.74%
Bangladesh 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 30.00% B1 NA
Barbados 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 5.50% B3 NA
Belarus 17.50% 28.09% 23.49% 18.00% C NA
Belgium 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 25.00% Aa3 0.33%
Belize 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 28.53% Caa2 NA
Benin 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 30.00% B1 NA
Bermuda 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 0.00% A2 NA
Bolivia 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 25.00% Caa1 NA
Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 10.00% B3 NA
Botswana 1.31% 6.35% 1.75% 22.00% A3 NA
Brazil 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 34.00% Ba2 2.39%
British Virgin Islands 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 34.00% Ba2 NA
Brunei 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 18.50% NR NA
Bulgaria 1.74% 6.94% 2.34% 10.00% Baa1 1.47%
Burkina Faso 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 28.00% Caa1 NA
Cambodia 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 20.00% B2 NA
Cameroon 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 33.00% Caa1 9.14%
Canada 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 26.50% Aaa 0.44%
Cape Verde 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 0.00% B3 NA
Cayman Islands 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 0.00% Aa3 NA
Channel Islands 0.96% 5.89% 5.89% 24.71% NR NA
Chile 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 27.00% A2 1.15%
China 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 25.00% A1 0.99%
Colombia 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 35.00% Baa2 2.74%
Congo (Democratic Republic of) 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 30.00% B3 NA
Congo (Republic of) 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 28.00% Caa2 NA
Cook Islands 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 29.74% B1 NA
Costa Rica 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 30.00% B1 3.11%
Croatia 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 18.00% Baa2 1.34%
Cuba 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 28.53% Ca NA
Curaçao 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 22.00% Baa2 NA
Cyprus 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 12.50% Baa2 1.11%
Czech Republic 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 19.00% Aa3 0.56%
Denmark 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 22.00% Aaa 0.24%
Dominican Republic 3.92% 9.86% 5.26% 27.00% Ba3 NA
Ecuador 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 25.00% Caa3 52.74%
Egypt 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 22.50% Caa1 10.13%
El Salvador 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 30.00% Caa3 8.40%
Estonia 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 20.00% A1 0.60%
Ethiopia 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 30.00% Caa2 32.31%
Falkland Islands 4.29% 10.36% 10.36% 31.60% NR NA
Fiji 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 20.00% B1 NA
Finland 0.44% 5.18% 0.58% 20.00% Aa1 0.34%
France 0.54% 5.32% 0.72% 25.00% Aa2 0.43%
French Guiana 4.29% 10.36% 10.36% 31.60% NR NA
Gabon 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 30.00% Caa1 6.85%
Gambia 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 31.00% NR NA
Georgia 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 15.00% Ba2 NA
Germany 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 30.00% Aaa 0.29%
Ghana 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 25.00% Caa3 NA
Gibraltar 0.96% 5.89% 5.89% 24.71% NR NA
Greece 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 22.00% Ba1 1.28%
Greenland 0.00% NA NA 0.00% NR NA
Guatemala 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 25.00% Ba1 NA
Guernsey (States of) 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 0.00% A1 NA
Guinea 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 29.15% NR NA
Guinea-Bissau 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 29.15% NR NA
Guyana 1.74% 6.94% 2.34% 18.64% NR NA
Haiti 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 18.64% NR NA
Honduras 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 25.00% B1 NA
Hong Kong 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 16.50% Aa3 0.60%
Hungary 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 9.00% Baa2 1.95%
Iceland 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 20.00% A2 0.88%
India 2.39% 7.81% 3.21% 30.00% Baa3 0.99%
Indonesia 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 22.00% Baa2 1.32%
Iran 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 20.23% NR NA
Iraq 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 15.00% Caa1 5.14%
Ireland 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 12.50% Aa3 0.41%
Isle of Man 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 0.00% Aa3 NA
Israel 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 23.00% A1 1.57%
Italy 2.39% 7.81% 3.21% 24.00% Baa3 1.34%
Ivory Coast 3.92% 9.86% 5.26% 25.00% Ba3 NA
Jamaica 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 25.00% B1 NA
Japan 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 30.62% A1 0.43%
Jersey (States of) 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 0.00% Aa3 NA
Jordan 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 20.00% B1 NA
Kazakhstan 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 20.00% Baa2 1.76%
Kenya 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 30.00% B3 7.04%
Korea, D.P.R. 17.50% 28.09% 23.49% 23.10% NR NA
Kuwait 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 15.00% A1 0.83%
Kyrgyzstan 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 10.00% B3 NA
Laos 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 26.86% Caa3 NA
Latvia 1.31% 6.35% 1.75% 20.00% A3 0.94%
Lebanon 17.50% 28.09% 23.49% 17.00% C NA
Liberia 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 29.15% NR NA
Libya 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 20.00% NR NA
Liechtenstein 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 12.50% Aaa NA
Lithuania 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 15.00% A2 0.90%
Luxembourg 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 24.94% Aaa NA
Macau 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 26.86% Aa3 NA
Macedonia 3.92% 9.86% 5.26% 10.00% Ba3 NA
Madagascar 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 20.00% NR NA
Malawi 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 30.00% NR NA
Malaysia 1.31% 6.35% 1.75% 24.00% A3 0.86%
Maldives 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 26.86% Caa1 NA
Mali 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 26.86% Caa2 NA
Malta 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 35.00% A2 NA
Martinique 0.00% NA NA 0.00% NR NA
Mauritius 2.39% 7.81% 3.21% 15.00% Baa3 NA
Mexico 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 30.00% Baa2 1.68%
Monaco 0.96% 5.89% 5.89% 24.71% NR NA
Moldova 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 12.00% B3 NA
Mongolia 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 25.00% B3 4.02%
Montenegro 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 15.00% B1 NA
Montserrat 2.39% 7.81% 3.21% 28.53% Baa3 NA
Morocco 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 32.00% Ba1 1.90%
Mozambique 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 32.00% Caa2 NA
Myanmar 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 25.00% NR NA
Namibia 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 32.00% B1 2.10%
Netherlands 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 25.80% Aaa 0.24%
Netherlands Antilles 10.54% 18.75% 18.75% 27.25% NR NA
New Zealand 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 28.00% Aaa 0.29%
Nicaragua 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 30.00% B3 4.89%
Niger 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 26.86% Caa2 NA
Nigeria 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 30.00% Caa1 6.44%
Norway 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 22.00% Aaa 0.24%
Oman 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 15.00% Ba1 1.92%
Pakistan 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 29.00% Caa3 41.04%
Palestinian Authority 1.61% 6.76% 6.76% 18.76% NR NA
Panama 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 25.00% Baa2 2.31%
Papua New Guinea 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 30.00% B2 NA
Paraguay 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 10.00% Ba1 NA
Peru 1.74% 6.94% 2.34% 29.50% Baa1 1.37%
Philippines 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 25.00% Baa2 1.18%
Poland 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 19.00% A2 1.06%
Portugal 1.31% 6.35% 1.75% 21.00% A3 0.75%
Qatar 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 10.00% Aa3 0.83%
Ras Al Khaimah (Emirate of) 1.31% 6.35% 1.75% 0.00% A3 NA
Reunion 1.25% 6.28% 6.28% 25.76% NR NA
Romania 2.39% 7.81% 3.21% 16.00% Baa3 2.31%
Russia 4.90% 11.18% 6.58% 25.00% NR NA
Rwanda 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 30.00% B2 5.53%
Saint Lucia 10.54% 18.75% 18.75% 27.25% NR NA
Saudi Arabia 0.77% 5.63% 1.03% 20.00% A1 0.85%
Senegal 3.92% 9.86% 5.26% 30.00% Ba3 6.89%
Serbia 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 15.00% Ba2 2.86%
Sharjah 2.73% 8.26% 3.66% 0.00% Ba1 NA
Sierra Leone 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 30.00% NR NA
Singapore 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 17.00% Aaa NA
Slovakia 0.92% 5.84% 1.24% 21.00% A2 0.60%
Slovenia 1.31% 6.35% 1.75% 19.00% A3 0.76%
Solomon Islands 8.17% 15.57% 10.97% 30.00% Caa1 NA
Somalia 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 29.15% NR NA
South Africa 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 27.00% Ba2 3.16%
South Korea 0.54% 5.32% 0.72% 25.00% Aa2 NA
Spain 1.74% 6.94% 2.34% 25.00% Baa1 0.78%
Sri Lanka 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 24.00% Ca 59.36%
St. Maarten 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 28.53% Ba2 NA
St. Vincent & the Grenadines 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 28.53% B3 NA
Sudan 17.50% 28.09% 23.49% 35.00% NR NA
Suriname 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 36.00% Caa3 NA
Swaziland 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 27.50% B3 NA
Sweden 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 20.60% Aaa 0.28%
Switzerland 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 14.60% Aaa 0.22%
Syria 17.50% 28.09% 23.49% 28.00% NR NA
Taiwan 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 20.00% Aa3 NA
Tajikistan 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 18.00% B3 NA
Tanzania 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 30.00% B2 NA
Thailand 1.74% 6.94% 2.34% 20.00% Baa1 0.65%
Togo 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 26.86% B3 NA
Trinidad &' Tobago 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 30.00% Ba2 NA
Tunisia 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 15.00% Caa2 9.78%
Turkey 7.08% 14.11% 9.51% 25.00% B3 3.86%
Turks & Caicos Islands 1.74% 6.94% 2.34% 0.00% Baa1 NA
Uganda 5.99% 12.64% 8.04% 30.00% B2 NA
Ukraine 13.07% 22.15% 17.55% 18.00% Ca NA
United Arab Emirates 0.54% 5.32% 0.72% 25.00% Aa2 NA
United Kingdom 0.65% 5.48% 0.88% 25.00% Aa3 0.51%
United States 0.00% 4.60% 0.00% 25.00% Aaa 0.58%
Uruguay 2.07% 7.38% 2.78% 25.00% Baa2 1.14%
Uzbekistan 3.92% 9.86% 5.26% 15.00% Ba3 NA
Venezuela 17.50% 28.09% 23.49% 34.00% C 11.25%
Vietnam 3.28% 9.00% 4.40% 20.00% Ba2 1.84%
Yemen 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 20.00% NR NA
Zambia 10.90% 19.23% 14.63% 35.00% Caa3 NA
Zimbabwe 9.81% 17.77% 13.17% 25.00% NR NA

 

Last updated: January 2024

Aswath Damodaran