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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Larry Elliott Economics editor

‘Huge benefits’ in greater debt relief for lower income countries, study finds

Seated activists holding signs saying 'Global debt = Colonial trap' and 'G7: who owes who?' block an entrance to the German finance ministry
Debt for Climate activists block an entrance to the German finance ministry during the 2022 G7 summit in Berlin. Photograph: Christian Mang/Reuters

Reducing the debt payments made by poor countries to more sustainable levels could help 5 million more children attend school and provide access to clean drinking water to 17 million people, according to research.

A study by academics at the universities of St Andrews and Leicester said there would be “huge benefits” – including saving the lives of 60,000 children and mothers – from slashing the size of repayments.

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