India, Oct. 8 -- Developing countries paid nearly $1 trillion in interest on public debt in 2025, up from $363 billion in 2010, according to a UNCTAD report.

Global public debt more than doubled from $49 trillion in 2010 to $111 trillion in 2025, with developing countries recording a faster increase.

Developing countries paid an average interest rate of 5.2%, compared with 2.2% in developed economies.

In 51 countries, home to 3.7 billion people, interest payments exceeded government spending on either health or education.

UNCTAD estimates that developing countries could save $500 billion annually if they borrowed at interest rates comparable to those paid by developed economies.

Developing countries, which also have high development ...