Mongolia’s rating upgraded to B1 by Moody’s on stable growth

Published 16/10/2025, 14:34
Mongolia’s rating upgraded to B1 by Moody’s on stable growth

Investing.com -- Moody’s Ratings has upgraded Mongolia’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings to B1 from B2, while maintaining a stable outlook.

The upgrade reflects expectations of more stable economic growth, supported by ongoing commodity diversification efforts and improved policy effectiveness, particularly in liability management and fiscal reforms.

Mongolia’s economy has shown reduced susceptibility to commodity price cycles, despite coal prices falling 27% in 2025 year-to-date following a 30% decline in 2024. Coal exports make up more than half of Mongolia’s overall exports.

Increasing copper exports have significantly offset the decline in coal exports. Output from the Oyu Tolgoi mine continues to rise as it approaches peak production in 2028, positioning Mongolia to meet global copper demand.

The country is also advancing exploration of other minerals, including gold and rare earths. According to the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, Mongolia has identified 3.1 million tons of proven rare earth ore reserves.

Mongolia’s economy grew 5.1% in 2024 despite weak agricultural performance. Moody’s expects real GDP to increase to 5.5% this year and maintain similar rates in 2026.

The debt ratio has substantially decreased from over 90% of GDP in 2016 to an estimated 42.6% this year. However, Moody’s projects the fiscal deficit will widen to around 3% of GDP in 2025 and average between 4.5-6% from 2026-2028.

The rating agency expects Mongolia’s debt burden to increase to 48% of GDP by 2028, which remains consistent with B1-B2 rated peers.

The stable outlook reflects Moody’s view that external liquidity risks will remain elevated but manageable. While financing pressures may increase around Mongolia’s sizeable market debt payment obligations in 2027-2028, the government is expected to maintain market access at sustainable costs.

Moody’s also raised Mongolia’s local-currency country ceiling to Ba2 from Ba3 and its foreign-currency country ceiling to B1 from B2.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.