Formation and management of public debt sustainability on the example of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study debt sustainability of countries with a resource-based economy on the example of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. Design/methodology/approach Macroeconomic indicators and data on external and internal public debt of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation for the period from 2007 to 2019 were analyzed using quantitative, qualitative, comparative, descriptive and graphical methods. Based on the collected data, the indicators were calculated, analyzed and compared, taking into account the threshold values, using The Debt Sustainability Framework for Low-Income Countries of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Findings The results of the study showed that the indicators of the public debt of both the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, during the period covered by the study, were in the zone of reduced risk and were stable. In addition, the study revealed a slight shift in the structure of the public debt of the Republic of Kazakhstan toward a decrease in the share of domestic borrowing (from 67% to 55%), whereas in the structure of the Russian public debt, the share of domestic borrowing increased significantly (from 52% to 74%). Originality/value The results of this study can be applied by scientists to analyze the sustainability of public debt in various countries and regions, as well as by officials to determine the fiscal and budgetary policies of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, as well as other states.