The statistic shows Japan's national debt from 2020 to 2023 in relation to gross domestic product (GDP), with projections up until 2030. In 2023, the national debt of Japan amounted to about 239.97 percent of the gross domestic product. An eye on Japan’s national debt Japan’s national debt ranks first among countries with the highest debt levels in the world, far surpassing the debt levels of Greece - which ranks number two - whose financial crisis has been in the spotlight recently. Italy is third, followed by Jamaica, Lebanon and Enritrea. Currently, Japan’s national debt amounts more than a thousand trillion yen and the country’s debt is predicted to keep rising for the foreseeable future, albeit only slightly. Japan’s national debt is not without consequence for the global economy, because the country claims the fourth-largest share in global gross domestic product. Therefore, the effects on the global economy would and could have a much greater global impact than that of a country such as Greece - considering its share of the global economy adjusted for purchase power parity was less than 0.29 percent in 2011. The debt levels of China, the United States and India should also be watched closely as they together make up the largest share of global GDP. At the moment, Japan’s inflation rate is among the lowest in the world, but as Japan attempts to reduce its national debt, this could change.

The statistic shows the gross national debt of the United States from 2019 to 2024 in relation to the gross domestic product (GDP), with projections up until 2030. In 2024, the national debt of the United States was at around 120.79 percent of the gross domestic product. See the US GDP for further information. US finances There has been a dramatic increase in the public debt of the United States since 1990, although the month-to-month change has been quite stable over the last few months. Public debt is defined as the amount of money borrowed by a country to cover budget deficits. A ranking of individual state debt in the United States shows that California is leading by a clear margin, with more than double the amount of runner-up New York. Vermont, North Dakota and South Dakota are the states with the lowest amount of debt. Even before the recession of 2008, the national debt of the United States had been increasing steadily and excessively, and it is predicted to rise even further. Budget cuts and fewer job opportunities as a result of the crisis are taking their toll on the American economy, which is still recovering. Trade figures as well as unemployment are still below average. Subsequently, the national debt and the national debt of the United States per capita have more or less quadrupled since the 1990s. Interestingly, the United States is not even among the top ten of countries with the highest public debt in relation to gross domestic product in international comparison. Japan, Greece and Italy – among others – report far higher figures than the United States.

The United States recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 124.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - United States Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The graph shows national debt in China related to gross domestic product until 2024, with forecasts to 2030. In 2024, gross national debt ranged at around 88 percent of the national gross domestic product. The debt-to-GDP ratio In economics, the ratio between a country's government debt and its gross domestic product (GDP) is generally defined as the debt-to-GDP ratio. It is a useful indicator for investors to measure a country's ability to fulfill future payments on its debts. A low debt-to-GDP ratio also suggests that an economy produces and sells a sufficient amount of goods and services to pay back those debts. Among the important industrial and emerging countries, Japan displayed one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios. In 2024, the estimated national debt of Japan amounted to about 250 percent of its GDP, up from around 180 percent in 2004. One reason behind Japan's high debt load lies in its low annual GDP growth rate. Development in China China's national debt related to GDP grew slowly but steadily from around 23 percent in 2000 to 34 percent in 2012, only disrupted by the global financial crisis in 2008. In recent years, China increased credit financing to spur economic growth, resulting in higher levels of debt. China's real estate crisis and a difficult global economic environment require further stimulating measures by the government and will predictably lead to even higher debt growth in the years ahead.

India recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 81.59 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2023. This dataset provides - India Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Brazil recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 76.50 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - Brazil Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In the third quarter of 2024, Greece's national debt was the highest in all the European Union, amounting to 158 percent of Greece's gross domestic product. In spite of Greece's total being high by EU standards, it marks a substantial decrease from the historical high point reached by the country's national debt of 207 percent of GDP in 2020. Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal also all have government debt worth over one year's production of their economies, while the small Baltic country of Estonia has the smallest national debt when compared with GDP, at only 24 percent. In debitum incrementum?A country’s national debt, also known as government debt or public debt, is defined as all borrowings owed by the government of a country. It usually comprises internal debt – owed to other governmental departments – and external debt, which is held by the public and is owed to government bond owners. National debt can be caused by a struggling economy in general, or by low tax income, which usually leads to money being borrowed from other governments for support, which in turn cannot be paid back right away. At first glance, a high national debt is not always a sign of a struggling economy – but since increasing debt can slow down economic growth significantly, it is imperative for the respective government to seek a steady reduction in the long run.

Turkey recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 24.70 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Turkey Government Debt to GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Key information about Germany External Debt: % of GDP

• Germany External Debt accounted for 146.1 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2023, compared with the ratio of 153.5 % in the previous year.
• Germany External Debt: % of Nominal GDP data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1999 to Dec 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 168.0 % in Dec 2021 and a record low of 92.9 % in Dec 1999.

CEIC calculates External Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly External Debt and annual Nominal GDP. Deutsche Bundesbank provides External Debt in EUR. Statistisches Bundesamt provides Nominal GDP in EUR.


Related information about Germany External Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports of Germany, Current Account recorded a surplus of 17.5 USD bn in Jul 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 8.9 USD bn in Jul 2024.
• Germany Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 6.8 USD bn in Jul 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 46.0 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• The country's External Debt reached 6,727,090.7 in Jun 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 1,072.8 USD bn in Mar 2023.

This study examined the relationship between debt servicing and foreign exchange rate unification in Nigeria from 1995 to 2023, hypothesizing that a unified exchange rate policy would significantly impact the country's debt service-to-revenue ratio. Using annual time series data from sources such as the International Monetary Fund and World Development Indicators, the study employed an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze the relationship between the debt service-to-revenue ratio and factors including the official foreign exchange rate, GDP growth rate, inflation rate, and oil prices. The findings revealed several notable insights. Exchange rate unification was found to have a significant negative effect on the debt service-to-revenue ratio, suggesting that a unified exchange rate policy could help reduce Nigeria's debt service burden. Both current and lagged inflation rates showed a significant negative impact on the debt service-to-revenue ratio, indicating that higher inflation might be eroding the real value of debt or increasing nominal revenues faster than debt servicing costs. Lagged exchange rates were found to negatively affect the debt service-to-revenue ratio, implying that higher exchange rates in the previous period decrease the current ratio. Oil prices demonstrated mixed effects, with current prices positively impacting the debt service-to-revenue ratio while lagged prices had a negative effect. The study also revealed strong persistence in debt servicing behavior over time, as evidenced by the significant positive correlation between current and previous year's debt service ratios. These results offer significant implications for policymakers. The negative effect of exchange rate unification on the debt service-to-revenue ratio suggests that such a policy could improve efficiency in forex markets and reduce arbitrage opportunities, ultimately helping to reduce the debt service burden. The negative relationship between inflation and the debt service-to-revenue ratio indicates that higher inflation might be beneficial for debt servicing in the short term, though this should be interpreted cautiously given the potential negative consequences of high inflation. The mixed impact of oil prices reflects the complexity of Nigeria's oil-dependent economy, highlighting the need for economic diversification. The strong persistence in debt servicing commitments points to potential structural issues in debt management or lack of fiscal flexibility. Policymakers can use these findings to inform strategies for managing Nigeria's debt burden. The results suggest that pursuing exchange rate unification, carefully managing inflation, diversifying the economy to reduce oil dependence, and improving fiscal discipline could all contribute to better management of debt servicing costs. However, it's crucial to consider the lagged effects of economic variables on debt servicing when formulating long-term fiscal strategies.

During the Great Recession of 2008-2009, the advanced economies of the G7 experienced a period of acute financial crises, downturns in the non-financial economy, and political instability. The governments of these countries in many cases stepped in to backstop their financial sectors and to try to stimulate their economies. The scale of these interventions was large by historical standards, with observers making comparisons to the measures of the New Deal which the U.S. undertook in the 1930s to end the Great Depression.

The bailouts of financial institutions and stimulus packages caused the government debt ratios of the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan in particular to rise sharply. The UK's government debt ratio almost doubled due to the bailouts of Northern Rock and Royal Bank of Scotland. On the other hand, the increases in government debt in the Eurozone were more measured, due to the comparative absence of stimulus spending in these countries. They would later be hit hard during the Eurozone crisis of the 2010s, when bank lending to the periphery of the Eurozone (Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Greece in particular) would trigger a sovereign debt crisis. The Canadian government, led by a Conservative premier, engaged in some fiscal stimulus to support its economy, but these packages were small in comparison to that in most other of the G7 countries.

Key information about Argentina National Government Debt

• Argentina National Government Debt reached 460.1 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 442.5 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• Argentina National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1994 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 460.1 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 74.6 USD bn in Dec 1994.

The Ministry of Treasury provides quarterly Government Debt in USD. Government Debt excludes debt swaps. [COVID-19-IMPACT]


Related information about Argentina National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Argentina Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 0.2 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 80.3 % of its Nominal GDP in Mar 2023.
• Argentina Nominal GDP reached 150.8 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Private Debt to GDP in the United States decreased to 142 percent in 2024 from 147.50 percent in 2023. United States Private Debt to GDP - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on September of 2025.

This dataset provides values for GOVERNMENT DEBT TO GDP reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The coronavirus pandemic has revived interest in the effects of fiscal policy. This paper studies the effects of government spending on default risk in emerging economies. We first build a general equilibrium small open economy model where government spending shocks influence external debt and sovereign bond spreads. We show that external debt piles up and sovereign bond spreads increase following a government spending shock. We then develop VAR evidence based on a panel of 18 countries. We find that in response to a 10% government spending increase, (1) the real effective exchange rate appreciates by 1.0% and the current account to GDP ratio deteriorates by 0.0025 on impact; (2) external debt increases by an average of 3.5% in the year following the shock; and (3) the EMBI Global spread rises by an average of 25 basis points within two years and peaks at 132 basis points 14 quarters after the shock, suggesting a higher sovereign default risk. The empirical results confirm the theoretical predictions from the general equilibrium model.

Kenya recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 65.50 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - Kenya Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about Germany Total Debt: % of GDP

• Germany Total Debt accounted for 604.7 % of the country's GDP in 2024, compared with the ratio of 601.9 % in the previous quarter.
• Germany Total Debt: % of GDP data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 692.6 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 548.1 % in Mar 1999.

CEIC calculates quarterly Total Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Total Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Total Debt is calculated as the Total Liabilities less Equity & Investment Fund Shares and Financial Derivatives for Non Financial Corporations, Monetary Financial Institutions, Other Financial Intermediaries, Insurance Corporations, Pension Funds, General Government, Households and NPISH sectors. Deutsche Bundesbank provides Total Debt in EUR. Statistisches Bundesamt provides Nominal GDP in EUR.

The statistic shows the national debt in India from 2020 to 2023 in relation to gross domestic product (GDP), with projections up until 2030. In 2023, the national debt of India amounted to about 81.23 percent of the gross domestic product. India’s economy on the rise India is one of the most populous countries in the world, and although a large share of inhabitants are living below the poverty line – or probably due to this fact –, the country’s economy is growing steadily. India’s GDP growth is expected to remain steady at more than 7 percent for the next few years, which is almost double that of the global GDP, and both GDP and GDP per capita are expected to increase significantly. Almost half of India’s workforce is employed in the agricultural sector, but services and industry share the other half quite equally. India’s GDP is mostly generated by the services sector, which includes transport, retailing, and offering services in the hospitality and tourism industry. India’s trade balance has been in the red for a decade now, but seems to recover slowly. A trade deficit usually means that a country’s import costs are higher than the amount of money generated with exporting goods. India’s imports could not be compensated for by the country’s exports, as imports have been consistently, even if only slightly, higher over the years both in terms of volume and value. Still, all signs point to India’s economy growing and thriving, reducing India’s debt (as seen above) and unemployment rate, enabling the inhabitants to create a better life for themselves.

Ghana recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 70.50 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Ghana Government Debt to GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Outstanding Liabilities of the Central Government as a percentage of GDP is a critical indicator of a country’s fiscal health. It represents the total debt obligations of the central government, expressed as a proportion of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This measure provides insights into the government's borrowing burden relative to the economy's size. A high percentage indicates significant debt accumulation, which may lead to concerns about fiscal sustainability, interest payment burdens, and potential risks to economic stability. Conversely, a lower percentage suggests a manageable debt load, allowing more flexibility for government spending and investment. Factors influencing this ratio include fiscal deficits, borrowing strategies, economic growth, and interest rate fluctuations. Governments often manage their liabilities through prudent fiscal policies, economic reforms, and debt restructuring. Sustainable debt levels enable governments to finance infrastructure, welfare programs, and development projects without excessive dependence on external borrowing. However, if liabilities grow faster than GDP, it may lead to credit rating downgrades, higher borrowing costs, and macroeconomic instability. Regular monitoring of outstanding liabilities as a percentage of GDP helps policymakers assess fiscal risks and implement corrective measures to ensure long-term economic stability and growth.

Outstanding liabilities as a percentage of GDP serve as a cornerstone indicator for assessing a nation's fiscal sustainability and overall macroeconomic health. This ratio reveals how much the central government owes relative to the size of the economy, providing a clear picture of the country’s debt-carrying capacity. A high debt-to-GDP ratio raises red flags about the government's ability to service its debt without resorting to inflationary financing or spending cuts, potentially undermining investor confidence and leading to higher interest rates or credit downgrades. On the other hand, a moderate or declining ratio signals sound fiscal management, leaving more room for productive public spending on infrastructure, health, education, and social welfare. This indicator also reflects the cumulative impact of past fiscal deficits and borrowing decisions, making it a vital metric for long-term fiscal planning. It is closely watched by international financial institutions, credit rating agencies, and markets, as it influences a country’s sovereign risk profile. For a fast-growing economy like India, maintaining debt at sustainable levels is essential to attract foreign investment, support development goals, and safeguard macroeconomic stability. Thus, regular analysis of outstanding liabilities relative to GDP helps policymakers balance developmental spending with fiscal discipline—an essential step toward building a resilient and self-reliant economy.