Current United Kingdom credit ratings, according to the main rating agencies, provide a snapshot of the country’s creditworthiness and financial stability. These ratings are critical for understanding how international and domestic investors perceive United Kingdom ability to honor its financial commitments.
The ratings are determined by comprehensive evaluations conducted by major credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's (S&P), Moody's, and Fitch Ratings. Each of these agencies uses a distinct rating scale and methodology to assess the economic and financial health of United Kingdom, taking into account various factors such as economic performance, fiscal policies, political stability, and debt levels.
The table below shows the current United Kingdom credit ratings, according to the main rating agencies.
| Rating Agency | Rating | Outlook | Last Update | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard & Poor's | AA | - | 24 Apr 2023 | outlook upgrade |
| Moody's Investors Service | Aa3 | - | 25 Oct 2023 | outlook upgrade |
| Fitch Ratings | AA- | - | 22 Mar 2024 | outlook upgrade |
| DBRS | AA | - | 16 Jan 2023 | rating downgrade |
United Kingdom: Long-term Rating Scales Comparison
United Kingdom long-term credit ratings, as assigned by major rating agencies, offer a comparative insight into the country's creditworthiness over an extended period. Each rating agency uses its own scale to evaluate the credit risk associated with United Kingdom sovereign debt. These scales help investors understand the likelihood that United Kingdom will meet its financial obligations.
Symbol means a negative outlook.
| Grade | Description | S&P | Moody's | Fitch | DBRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Investment Grade |
Prime |
AAA
|
Aaa
|
AAA
|
AAA
|
| High Medium Grade |
AA+
|
Aa1
|
AA+
|
AA(high)
|
|
|
AA
|
Aa2
|
AA
|
AA
|
||
|
AA-
|
Aa3
|
AA-
|
AA(low)
|
||
| Upper Medium Grade |
A+
|
A1
|
A+
|
A(high)
|
|
|
A
|
A2
|
A
|
A
|
||
|
A-
|
A3
|
A-
|
A(low)
|
||
| Lower Medium Grade |
BBB+
|
Baa1
|
BBB+
|
BBB(high)
|
|
|
BBB
|
Baa2
|
BBB
|
BBB
|
||
|
BBB-
|
Baa3
|
BBB-
|
BBB(low)
|
||
|
Speculative Grade |
Speculative |
BB+
|
Ba1
|
BB+
|
BB(high)
|
|
BB
|
Ba2
|
BB
|
BB
|
||
|
BB-
|
Ba3
|
BB-
|
BB(low)
|
||
| Highly Speculative |
B+
|
B1
|
B+
|
B(high)
|
|
|
B
|
B2
|
B
|
B
|
||
|
B-
|
B3
|
B-
|
B(low)
|
||
| Substantial Risk |
CCC+
|
Caa1
|
CCC+
|
CCC(high)
|
|
|
CCC
|
Caa2
|
CCC
|
CCC
|
||
|
CCC-
|
Caa3
|
CCC-
|
CCC(low)
|
||
| Extremely Speculative |
CC
|
Ca
|
CC
|
CC
|
|
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
||
| In Default |
RD
|
/
|
RD
|
RD
|
|
|
SD
|
/
|
SD
|
SD
|
||
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
||
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United Kingdom Credit Ratings historical data
Symbol means a positive outlook assigned by the rating agency.
Symbol means a negative outlook.
| Date | S&P | Moody's | Fitch | DBRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Mar 2024 | AA- | |||
| 25 Oct 2023 | Aa3 | |||
| 24 Apr 2023 | AA | |||
| 16 Jan 2023 | AA | |||
| 24 Oct 2022 | Aa3 | |||
| 6 Oct 2022 | AA- | |||
| 3 Oct 2022 | AA | |||
| 22 Jun 2021 | AA- | |||
| 15 Nov 2020 | AA (high) | |||
| 17 Oct 2020 | Aa3 | |||
| 18 May 2020 | AAA | |||
| 28 Mar 2020 | AA- | |||
| 18 Dec 2019 | AA | |||
| 9 Nov 2019 | Aa2 | |||
| 22 Sep 2017 | Aa2 | |||
| 28 Jun 2016 | AA | |||
| 27 Jun 2016 | AA | |||
| 24 Jun 2016 | Aa1 | |||
| 12 Jun 2015 | AAA | |||
| 13 Jun 2014 | AAA | |||
| 19 Apr 2013 | AA+ | |||
| 22 Feb 2013 | Aa1 | |||
| 13 Dec 2012 | AAA | |||
| 14 Mar 2012 | AAA | |||
| 13 Feb 2012 | Aaa | |||
| 26 Oct 2010 | AAA | |||
| 19 Jul 2010 | AAA | |||
| 21 May 2009 | AAA | |||
| 10 Aug 1994 | AAA | |||
| 28 Apr 1978 | AAA | |||
| 31 Mar 1978 | Aaa |
