Emerging Market Credit Risk Statistics Have Been Updated
New data from the GEMs Consortium provides investors with a long-term look at credit spreads and lending risks.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Credit Cards
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The Global Emerging Markets Risk Database Consortium has released three new publications detailing decades of credit risk statistics. These reports provide investors with a clarified evidence base for assessing lending risk across public, private, and sovereign sectors.
Why it matters
These statistics help investors and financial institutions more accurately gauge the credit risk associated with emerging markets. By pooling data from development banks, the consortium aims to improve the transparency of credit spreads and default assessments for international lending.
The GEMs Consortium reported an average total credit spread of 3.77% for the period between 2006 and 2025. This figure reflects aggregated data from multilateral development banks intended to inform investor risk assessments.
The players
European Investment Bank
A multilateral lender that co-chairs the GEMs Consortium and provides financing for projects.
International Finance Corporation
A global development institution co-chairing the GEMs Consortium that focuses on private sector investment.
World Bank Group
An international organization providing financial assistance and resources through its Data360 portal.
The details
The newly released publications consolidate pooled credit risk data from multilateral development banks and various financial institutions. By examining private, public, and sovereign lending history, the consortium provides a structured view of credit performance. The report also includes a pilot analysis of credit spreads to help clarify how risk is priced in these specific markets over time.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: Publication release date.
1984-2025: Sovereign and sovereign-guaranteed lending data period.
1994-2025: Private and public lending data period.
2006-2025: Credit spread analysis period.
Money Landscape
This release updates the long-term credit risk figures previously established by the GEMs Consortium reporting cycle. It serves as a primary reference point for institutional investors tracking the historical evolution of emerging market risk.
Investors who utilize emerging market credit data for portfolio planning can access these updated figures to refine their risk assessments. Those monitoring these markets should consult a qualified financial professional to understand how shifts in credit spreads influence overall investment strategy.
The takeaway
Access to long-term risk data is a critical component of assessing the stability of emerging market investments. Investors should track these credit spread trends when adjusting their exposure to global lending markets.
Further reading
For broader trends in lending transparency, visit the Credit Cards section.
More information
Access the comprehensive risk datasets through the World Bank Group open data portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ebrd.
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