External debt is the outstanding amount of actual and unconditional liabilities of the country’s residents to nonresidents at a particular point in time, which requires payment(s) of principal and / or interest.

The statistical report of the external debt of the Republic of Kazakhstan reflects the value and structure of the country's debt liabilities, which are a component of external liabilities presented in the international investment position of the country. For a liability to be included in external debt, it must exist and must be outstanding. The decisive consideration is whether a creditor owns a claim to the debtor.