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.

Public sector net debt amounted to 95.8 percent of gross domestic product in the United Kingdom during the 2024/25 financial year, or 90 percent when the Bank of England is excluded. UK government debt is at its highest levels since the early 1960s, due to a significant increase in borrowing during the COVID-19 pandemic. After peaking at 251.7 percent shortly after the end of the Second World War, government debt in the UK gradually fell, before a sharp increase in the late 2000s at the time of the global financial crisis. Debt not expected to start falling until 2029/30 In 2024/25, the UK's government expenditure was approximately 1.28 trillion pounds, around 44.7 percent of GDP. This spending was financed by 1.13 trillion pounds of revenue raised, and 151 billion pounds of borrowing. Although the UK government can still borrow money in the future to finance its spending, the amount spent on debt interest has increased significantly recently. Recent forecasts suggest that while the debt is eventually expected to start declining, this is based on falling government deficits in the next five years. Government facing hard choices Hitting fiscal targets, such as reducing the national debt, will require a careful balancing of the books from the current government, and the possibility for either spending cuts or tax rises. Although Labour ruled out raising the main government tax sources, Income Tax, National Insurance, and VAT, at the 2024 election, they did raise National Insurance for employers (rather than employees) and also cut Winter Fuel allowances for large numbers of pensioners. Less than a year after implementing cuts to Winter Fuel, the government performed a U-Turn on the issue, and will make it widely available by the winter of 2025.

Government debt in the United Kingdom reached over 2.8 trillion British pounds in 2024/25, compared with 2.69 trillion pounds in the previous financial year. Although debt has been increasing throughout this period, there is a noticeable jump between 2019/20, and 2020/21, when debt increased from 1.82 trillion pounds, to 2.15 trillion. The UK's government debt was the equivalent of 95.8 percent of GDP in 2024/25, and is expected to increase slightly in coming years, and not start falling until the end of this decade. Public finances in a tight spot With government debt approaching 100 percent of GDP, the UK finds itself in a tricky fiscal situation. If the UK can't reduce it's spending, or increase its revenue, the government will have to continue borrowing large amounts, increasing the debt further. Adding to the problem, is the fact that financing this debt has got steadily more expensive recently, with the government currently spending more on debt interest than it does on defence, transport, and public order and safety. Can the UK grow out its debt? After the Second World War, when the national debt reached over 250 percent of GDP, the UK managed to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio, due to the economy growing faster than its debt over a long period of time. This is certainly the hope of the current Labour government, who are seeking to avoid significant tax and spending adjustments by strengthening the economy. Overdue investments in infrastructure and increased capital spending may eventually achieve this goal, but the government's declining popularity suggests they may not be in power by the time these policies might eventually bear fruit.

Key information about European Union Government Debt: % of GDP

• European Union Government debt accounted for 81.6 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 81.5 % in the previous quarter.
• EU government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2000 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 91.5 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 62.4 % in Dec 2007.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. Eurostat provides Government Debt in EUR and Nominal GDP in EUR. European Union stands for EU27 excluding UK.


Related information about European Union Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, EU National Government Debt reached 16,136.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 4,430.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Households Debt in the United Kingdom decreased to 76.30 percent of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 77.20 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Households Debt To Gdp- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

Private Debt to GDP in the United Kingdom decreased to 75.70 percent in 2024 from 79.30 percent in 2023. United Kingdom Private Debt to GDP - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

In the second quarter of 2025, the quarterly gross domestic product of the United Kingdom was approximately, 649 billion British pounds, compared with around 647 billion pounds in the previous quarter. The large dip in GDP that can be seen in the second quarter of 2020 saw the UK economy fall from 604.7 billion pounds to 481.8 billion, with more usual levels of output not recovering until well into 2021. The COVID-19 lockdowns enacted by the UK government at that time was the main reason for this large fall in GDP. Growth lagging as UK heads into 2025 After ending 2023 in recession, the UK economy started 2024 with the strongest quarterly GDP growth in several years, growing by 0.7 percent in the first quarter, and then by 0.4 percent in the second quarter. Economic growth in the second half of the year was, however, far less promising, with GDP flatlining in the third quarter, and monthly GDP shrinking by 0.1 percent in September and then again in October. Although GDP is still forecast to grow in 2025, the overall economic picture is precarious. In November, UK inflation rose to 2.6 percent, compared with just 1.7 percent in September, while the labor market continues to show signs of cooling after a period of high job vacancies and low unemployment. Labour pinning hopes on long-term growth After winning its first general election in 19 years in 2024, the Labour Government has seen its approval ratings plummet in its first few months in office. This shaky start is partly due to a government strategy of making unpopular decisions early in their tenure, which they hope will eventually encourage stable economic growth in the mid to long-term. By far the least popular policy was the withdrawal of winter fuel benefits for a significant number of pensioners, a cost-cutting measure deemed necessary due to the UK's vulnerable public finance position, with government debt at around 100 percent of GDP. A further measure introduced was a national insurance tax increase for employers, with almost half of UK firms citing increased taxes as their main external concern in Q3 2024. Avoiding any further tax rises or cuts to services will depend on if policies in other areas, such as planning reform, will kickstart the UK economy in time before the next election.

Italy recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 135.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - Italy Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of all major economies included except China was negative in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth rates were positive again in 2021, but stagnated in some countries in 2023 amid high inflation rates. What does GDP measure? GDP is the sum of all consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports in an economy. As such, different things drive the growth of each of these countries. Germany benefits from a high value of net exports, also known as its trade balance. Drawbacks of GDP growth as a metric GDP measures growth, but it does not capture welfare gains correctly in many cases. For example, carbon dioxide emissions often go hand in hand with a growing GDP. These emissions are from industry, such as coal power plants, or consumption, such as driving cars, but GDP does not measure the damage from these activities. Also, national debt is not incorporated into GDP.

Debt collection revenue is influenced by the level of personal and business debt, demand for debt collection and debt recovery rates. Agencies have been transitioning from fee-based collection services to higher-margin portfolio acquisitions, bolstered by higher consolidation activity. However, portfolio acquisition is more within the reach of larger agencies. Debt collection services typically thrive during economic downturns, although recovering debts is more challenging. In tough economic times, more consumers and businesses struggle with debt, leading to higher delinquency rates. Creditors often sell these bad debt portfolios to third-party collectors, creating potential revenue for debt collection agencies. However, while there are more debts to collect, consumers often have limited income, making it challenging to recover full payments or even partial settlements. Moreover, stricter regulations, like 2021’s Debt Respite Scheme, have presented challenges for agencies looking to recover credit card payments. Revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 4% over the five years through 2024-25 to £1.9 billion. In 2024-25, revenue is set to climb by 1.2%. The UK economy is improving in 2024-25, with stable inflation and better GDP rates, making it easier for debt collectors to recoup revenue. Although demand for services is counter-cyclical, recouping actual revenue is more likely during an economic upturn because disposable incomes tend to improve when the economy strengthens, making it easier for debtors to repay outstanding debts. Economic conditions are set to stabilise in the coming years, making it easier for debt collection services to recoup revenue. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.8% over the five years through 2029-30 to reach £2.2 billion. Businesses will take on more risk and raise investments, while consumers raise their spending through credit cards. Consolidation activity and the switch towards portfolio-acquisition services will also continue to gain momentum. As inflation eases, debtors will be able to pay off their debts more quickly, boosting agencies' revenue.

In 2025/26, the budgeted expenditure of the United Kingdom government is expected to be reach 1,335 billion British pounds, with the highest spending function being the 379 billion pounds expected to be spent on social protection, which includes pensions and other welfare benefits. Government spending on health was expected to be 277 billion pounds and was the second-highest spending function in this fiscal year, while education was the third-highest spending category at 146 billion pounds. UK government debt approaching 100 percent of GDP At the end of the 2024/25 financial year, the UK's government debt amounted to approximately 2.8 trillion British pounds, around 96 percent of GDP that year. This is due to the UK having to borrow money to cover its spending commitments, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when this deficit amounted to 314.6 billion pounds. Without significant cuts to spending or tax rises, the current government is aiming to reduce this debt by creating a stronger, more productive economy. Though this is how Britain's post WW2 debt was reduced, the country faces far more structural problems to growth than it did in the mid 20th century. Income Tax the UK's main revenue source Income Tax is expected to raise approximately 329 billion British pounds in the 2025/26 financial year, and be the largest revenue source for the government that year. Value Added Tax (VAT) receipts are expected to raise 214 billion pounds, with National Insurance contributions reaching 199 billion pounds. Although National Insurance rates for employees has actually fallen recently, the rate which employers pay was one of the main tax rises announced in the Autumn 2024 budget, rising from 13.8 percent to 15 percent. Though this avoided raising tax for workers directly, many UK businesses were critical of the move, with taxation seen as the main issue facing them at the start of 2025.

Key information about United Kingdom Non Performing Loans Ratio

• United Kingdom Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.0 % in Dec 2022, compared with the ratio of 1.0 % in the previous year
• UK Non Performing Loans Ratio data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2005 to Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 4.0 % in Dec 2011 and a record low of 1.0 % in Dec 2021

The International Monetary Fund provides annual Non Performing Loans Ratio.


Further information about United Kingdom Non Performing Loans Ratio

• In the latest reports, Money Supply M2 in UK increased 0.7 % YoY in May 2023
• UK Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 116.0 USD bn in May 2023
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 1.9 Months of Import in Apr 2023
• The country's Domestic Credit reached 4,978.3 USD bn in Apr 2023, representing an drop of 3.3 % YoY
• Household Debt of UK reached 2,756.4 USD bn in Mar 2023, accounting for 88.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP

Mortgage interest rates worldwide varied greatly in June 2025, from less than ******percent in many European countries to as high as ***percent in Turkey. The average mortgage rate in a country depends on the central bank's base lending rate and macroeconomic indicators such as inflation and forecast economic growth. Since 2022, inflationary pressures have led to rapid increases in mortgage interest rates. Which are the leading mortgage markets? An easy way to estimate the importance of the mortgage sector in each country is by comparing household debt depth, or the ratio of the debt held by households compared to the county's GDP. In 2024, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada had some of the highest household debt to GDP ratios worldwide. While this indicator shows the size of the sector relative to the country’s economy, the value of mortgages outstanding allows to compare the market size in different countries. In Europe, for instance, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France were the largest mortgage markets by outstanding mortgage lending. Mortgage lending trends in the U.S. In the United States, new mortgage lending soared in 2021. This was largely due to the growth of new refinance loans that allow homeowners to renegotiate their mortgage terms and replace their existing loan with a more favorable one. Following the rise in interest rates, the mortgage market cooled, and refinance loans declined.