The value of global debt increased from 285 trillion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2022 to 315 trillion U.S. dollars in the same quarter of 2024. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, global debt has skyrocketed. The value of global debt in Q1 2024 was more than three times the value of the global GDP.

The public sector debt of middle income countries amounted to almost 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. This was significantly higher than in low income countries at 4.6 billion dollars in public sector debt.

Global public debt increased steadily since 2010. Debt levels were significantly higher in developed than in developing countries, with nearly 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in the former. Global public debt in the United States alone stood at 33 trillion dollars. However, debt levels increased at a much faster pace in developing countries between 2010 and 2023, more than doubling. High debt levels and borrowing costs are a significant problem for countries already struggling with poor government finances. For instance, borrowing costs in Africa are almost four times higher than in the U.S.

Key information about Japan Government Debt: % of GDP

• Japan Government debt accounted for 216.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 217.2 % in the previous quarter.
• Japan government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1994 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 225.8 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 55.9 % in Dec 1994.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Bank of Japan provides Government Debt in local currency. The Economic and Social Research Institute provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about Japan Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Japan National Government Debt reached 9,396.6 USD bn in Apr 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 1,080.1 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Debt Securities and Loans; Liability, Level (DODFFSWCMI) from Q4 1945 to Q4 2024 about instruments, credit market, foreign, equity, liabilities, sector, financial, debt, and corporate.

Key information about South Korea Government Debt: % of GDP

• South Korea Government debt accounted for 45.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 46.1 % in the previous quarter.
• South Korea government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Sep 2002 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 46.4 % in Sep 2023 and a record low of 15.3 % in Mar 2003.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Ministry of Finance and Economy provides Government Debt in local currency. The Bank of Korea provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about South Korea Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, South Korea National Government Debt reached 873.5 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 429.2 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Long-Term Debt Securities; Asset, Market Value Levels (BOGZ1LM264022600Q) from Q4 1945 to Q4 2023 about market value, long-term, debt, securities, assets, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt: Total Public Debt (GFDEBTN) from Q1 1966 to Q4 2024 about public, debt, federal, government, and USA.

Key information about US External Debt

• United States External Debt reached 25,798.1 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 26,895.8 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• US External Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Jun 2003 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 26,895.8 USD bn in Jun 2024 and a record low of 6,570.2 USD bn in Jun 2003.

The US Department of Treasury provides External Debt in USD based on BPM6. External Debt prior to Q3 2014 is based on BPM5.


Related information about US External Debt

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 310.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 96.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 96.8 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 637.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

The statistic shows Japan's national debt from 2019 to 2022 in relation to gross domestic product (GDP), with projections up until 2029. In 2022, the national debt of Japan amounted to about 256.3 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.

Key information about United Kingdom Government Debt: % of GDP

• United Kingdom Government debt accounted for 101.1 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 100.9 % in the previous quarter.
• UK government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1966 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 107.5 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 28.3 % in Dec 1990.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Office of National Statistics provides Government Debt in local currency. The Office for National Statistics provides Nominal GDP in local currency.


Related information about United Kingdom Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, UK National Government Debt reached 3,810.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 786.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Debt Securities and Loans; Asset, Level (BOGZ1FL264004005A) from 1945 to 2023 about debt, securities, and assets.

Of the developing regions in the world, countries in Asia and Oceania recorded the highest public debt levels in 2023. Moreover, public debt in the region more than tripled from 2010 to 2023. High debt levels and borrowing costs are a significant problem for countries already struggling with poor government finances. For instance, borrowing costs in Africa are almost four times higher than in the U.S.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Debt Securities and Loans; Liability, Level (BOGZ1LA264104005A) from 1945 to 2024 about liabilities, debt, and securities.

Graph and download economic data for Rest of the World; Debt Securities Issued by Non-Depository Financial Institutions; Asset, Level (BOGZ1FL264022095A) from 1945 to 2019 about issues, debt, securities, and assets.

Key information about India Government Debt: % of GDP

• India Government debt accounted for 58.3 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 58.3 % in the previous quarter.
• India government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2012 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 59.3 % in Sep 2023 and a record low of 44.6 % in Dec 2018.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Ministry of Finance provides Government Debt in local currency. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about India Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, India National Government Debt reached 2,144.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 873.7 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about Sri Lanka Government Debt: % of GDP

• Sri Lanka Government debt accounted for 96.9 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 98.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Sri Lanka government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2014 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 120.9 % in Jun 2022 and a record low of 72.0 % in Mar 2018.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka provides Government Debt in local currency. The Department of Census and Statistics provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP prior to Q4 2015 is calculated from Nominal GDP based on old methodology.


Related information about Sri Lanka Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Sri Lanka National Government Debt reached 96.5 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 20.9 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about United States Household Debt

• United States Household Debt reached 18,036.0 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with the reported number of 17,943.0 USD bn in the previous quarter
• US Household Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Dec 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 18,036.0 USD bn in Dec 2024 and a record low of 4,540.0 USD bn in Mar 1999

Federal Reserve Board of New York provides quarterly Household Debt in USD. Household Debt includes Mortgages, Home Equity Revolving, Auto Loans, Bankcards, Student Loans and Others.


Further information about United States Household Debt

• In the latest reports, United States Household Debt accounted for 61.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024
• Money Supply M2 in United States increased 21,533.8 USD bn YoY in Dec 2024
• United States Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 34.9 USD bn in Dec 2024
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 0.1 Months of Import in Dec 2024
• United States Domestic Credit reached 30,648.3 USD bn in Mar 2024, representing an drop of 0.3 % YoY

Key information about New Zealand Private Debt: % of Nominal GDP

• New Zealand Private Debt accounted for 136.01 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with a ratio of 135.21 % in the previous quarter
• New Zealand Private Debt contribution to Nominal GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1988 to Sep 2024, with an average share of 135.21 %
• The data reached an all-time high of 157.39 % in Sep 2009 and a record low of 64.97 % in Mar 1989

CEIC calculates quarterly Private Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Private Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand provides Private Debt in local currency based on MFSM 2016. Stats NZ provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Private Debt as % of Nominal GDP prior to Q4 2016 is calculated from Private Debt based on Standard Statistical Return.

Market Overview: The global Debt Solution market is projected to reach $3,503.8 million by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2025 to 2033. The growing prevalence of debt among individuals and businesses, coupled with the rising popularity of credit counseling and debt settlement services, is driving market growth. Key industry drivers include increasing financial literacy, government initiatives to promote financial stability, and technological advancements. The market is segmented by application (personal and enterprise) and type (debt settlement platform and service platform). Competitive Landscape and Regional Analysis: Major players in the Debt Solution market include National Debt Relief, Guardian Debt Relief, Accredited Debt Relief, Pacific Debt, Oak View Law Group, CuraDebt, Premier Debt Help, Freedom Debt Relief, New Era Debt Solutions, Century Support Services, and GreenPath. North America holds a significant market share due to the high levels of consumer debt and the presence of well-established debt solution providers. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness strong growth due to the rising disposable incomes and increasing adoption of debt consolidation services. Europe and the Middle East & Africa also offer promising growth opportunities, driven by the increasing awareness of financial management and the expansion of credit markets.