As of December 2024, Japan held United States treasury securities totaling about 1.06 trillion U.S. dollars. Foreign holders of United States treasury debt According to the Federal Reserve and U.S. Department of the Treasury, foreign countries held a total of 8.5 trillion U.S. dollars in U.S. treasury securities as of December 2024. Of the total held by foreign countries, Japan and Mainland China held the greatest portions, with China holding 759 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. securities. The U.S. public debt In 2023, the United States had a total public national debt of 33.2 trillion U.S. dollars, an amount that has been rising steadily, particularly since 2008. In 2023, the total interest expense on debt held by the public of the United States reached 678 billion U.S. dollars, while 197 billion U.S. dollars in interest expense were intra governmental debt holdings. Total outlays of the U.S. government were 6.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. By 2029, spending is projected to reach 8.3 trillion U.S. dollars.

The national debt in China was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 10.6 trillion U.S. dollars (+63.47 percent). After the tenth consecutive increasing year, the national debt is estimated to reach 27.2 trillion U.S. dollars and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the national debt was continuously increasing over the past years.The indicator describes the general government gross debt which consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future.Find more key insights for the national debt in countries like Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt Held by Foreign and International Investors as Percent of Gross Domestic Product (HBFIGDQ188S) from Q1 1970 to Q4 2024 about foreign, debt, federal, GDP, and USA.

Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

In 2023, China held 5.33 percent of foreign held U.S. securities. Japan held a further 9.28 percent of foreign held securities. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

At the end of 2023, depository institutions owned around 4.86 percent of the total U.S. debt. Depository institutions includes U.S. chartered depository institutions, foreign banking offices in the United States, banks in U.S. affiliated areas, credit unions, and bank holding companies.

The total debt accrued by the U.S. annually can be accessed here.

Key information about China National Government Debt

• China National Government Debt reached 4,230.0 USD bn in Dec 2023, compared with 3,750.7 USD bn in the previous year.
• China National Government Debt data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2005 to Dec 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4,230.0 USD bn in Dec 2023 and a record low of 404.1 USD bn in Dec 2005.

CEIC converts annual Government Debt into USD. Ministry of Finance provides Government Debt in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt covers Central Government Debt only.


Related information about China National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, China Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 4.8 % of its Nominal GDP in Mar 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 24.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Mar 2024.
• China Nominal GDP reached 4,166.8 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Total outstanding debt of the U.S. government reported daily. Includes a breakout of intragovernmental holdings (federal debt held by U.S. government) and debt held by the public (federal debt held by entities outside the U.S. government).

In September 2023, the national debt of the United States had risen up to 33.17 trillion U.S. dollars. The national debt per capita had risen to 85,552 U.S. dollars in 2021. As represented by the statistic above, the public debt of the United States has been continuously rising.

U.S. public debt Public debt, also known as national and governmental debt, is the debt owed by a nations’ central government. In the case of the U.S., national debt is owed by the federal government to Treasury security holders. Generally speaking, government debt increases with government spending, and can be decreased through taxes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government increased spending significantly to finance virus infrastructure, aid, and various forms of economic relief.

International public debt

Venezuela leads the global ranking of the 20 countries with the highest public debt in 2021. In relation to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Venezuela's public debt amounted to around 306.95 percent of GDP. Eritrea was ranked fifth, with an estimated debt of 170 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

The national debt of the United Kingdom is forecasted to grow from 87 percent in 2022 to 70 percent in 2027, in relation to the Gross Domestic Product. These figures include England, Wales, Scotland as well as Northern Ireland.

Greece had the highest national debt among EU countries as of the 4th quarter of 2020 in relation to the Gross Domestic Product. Germany ranked 13th in the EU, with its national debt amounting to 69 percent of GDP in the same time period.

Tuvalu was one of the 20 countries with the lowest national debt in 2021 in relation to the GDP, while Macao had an estimated level of national debt of zero percent, the lowest of any country. The data refer to the debts of the entire state, including the central government, the provinces, municipalities, local authorities and social insurance.

Graph and download economic data for General Government; Debt Securities (Sum of Holders); Liability (FWTW), Level (BOGZ1FL364122085Q) from Q4 1945 to Q4 2024 about sum, general, liabilities, debt, securities, government, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for General Government; Debt Securities (Sum of Holders); Liability (FWTW), Revaluation (BOGZ1FR364122085A) from 1946 to 2023 about sum, general, revaluation, liabilities, debt, securities, government, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt Held by Federal Reserve Banks (FDHBFRBN) from Q1 1970 to Q4 2024 about debt, federal, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

China Local Government Debt: Due for Repayment data was reported at 2,075,700.000 RMB mn in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,315,200.000 RMB mn for 2019. China Local Government Debt: Due for Repayment data is updated yearly, averaging 1,949,882.000 RMB mn from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2020, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,624,649.000 RMB mn in 2011 and a record low of 847,755.000 RMB mn in 2017. China Local Government Debt: Due for Repayment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Audit Office. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Government and Public Finance – Table CN.FA: Government Debt: National Audit Office.

As of the first quarter 2019, the ratio of debt owed by the government to GDP in China was at 51 percent, an increase from 47.4 percent compared to the the same period of the previous year. 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.

This table contains information on general government debt. Debt is broken down into debt instruments and counterpart sectors (debt holders). Government debt is presented at face value (redemption value of debt) as well as market value (value at which debt can be traded). General government debt according to the Maastricht-definitions relevant in the Stability and Growth Pact is valued at face value, whereas the market value is applied in national accounts. Government debt denominated in euros as well as debt denominated in foreign currency are separately disclosed. Foreign currency debt is valued at prevailing currency exchange rate. The figures are consolidated which means that flows between units that belong to the same sector of general government are eliminated. As a result, the debt of subsectors do not add up to total debt of general government. For example, debt of the State to social security funds is part of debt of the State. However, it is not included in the consolidated debt of general government, because it is debt of general government to general government. The terms and definitions used are in accordance with the framework of the national accounts. National accounts are based on the international definitions of the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). Small temporary differences in this table with publications of the Dutch national accounts may occur due to the fact that the Dutch government finance statistics are sometimes more up to date.

Data available from: Yearly figures from 1995, quarterly figures from 1999.

Status of the figures: The figures for the period 1995-2022 are final. The figures for 2023 and 2024 are provisional.

Changes as of 24 December 2024: Figures on the third quarter of 2024 are available. The figures for the second quarter of 2024 have been adjusted. Additionally, Long term loans and Maastricht debt (EMU) of the State have been revised from 2013 onwards due to an updated guideline for capitalised interest related to imputed European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) loans.

When will new figures be published? Provisional quarterly figures are published three months after the end of the quarter. In September the figures on the first quarter may be revised, in December the figures on the second quarter may be revised and in March the first three quarters may be revised. Yearly figures are published for the first time three months after the end of the year concerned. Yearly figures are revised two times: 6 and 18 months after the end of the year. Please note that there is a possibility that adjustments might take place at the end of March or September, in order to provide the European Commission with the latest figures. Revised yearly figures are published in June each year. Quarterly figures are aligned to revised years at the end of June. More information on the revision policy of Dutch national accounts and government finance statistics can be found under 'relevant articles' under paragraph 3.

Key information about China Household Debt

• China Household Debt reached 11,498.4 USD bn in Jan 2025, compared with the reported number of 11,347.6 USD bn in the previous month
• China Household Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2007 to Jan 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 11,691.0 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 517.7 USD bn in Jan 2007

CEIC converts monthly Household Debt into USD. The People's Bank of China provides Household Debt in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Loans are used due to the lack of Flow of Funds statistics.


Further information about China Household Debt

• In the latest reports, China Household Debt accounted for 63.3 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2023
• Money Supply M2 in China increased 44,045.8 USD bn YoY in Sep 2024
• China Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 3,209.0 USD bn in Jan 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 13.9 Months of Import in Dec 2024
• China Domestic Credit reached 49,338.1 USD bn in Jan 2025, representing an increased of 7.9 % YoY

The value of U.S. Treasury securities held by residents of Russia amounted to 46 million U.S. dollars in April 2024, marking a stark contrast to the 10.51 billion U.S. dollars held in January 2020. The lowest over the period under consideration was recorded in November 2023 at 28 million U.S. dollars. Furthermore, in March 2020, the figure plummeted to 3.85 billion U.S. dollars, down from 12.6 billion U.S. dollars one month prior. Russia’s holdings of U.S. treasury securities have decreased since 2014 following the Western sanctions over the annexation of Crimea and have further dropped in 2022 after more restrictions were imposed over the war in Ukraine. What are U.S. treasury holdings? U.S. treasury holdings are government debt instruments that contribute to the funding of various government projects in the country. The U.S. Department of Treasury allows individuals and organizations to invest in treasury notes, bills, and bonds, which are the main three types of securities. Just under half of the outstanding 27 trillion U.S. dollars as of May 2024 were in the form of treasury notes. The notes have varying maturities and coupon payment frequencies, which are different from the maturity periods of treasury bills and bonds. Main foreign holders of U.S. treasury securities Foreign holdings of U.S. treasury debt amounted to eight trillion U.S. dollars as of January 2024. Japan and China held the largest portions, with China possessing 797.7 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. securities. Additionally, other significant foreign holders included oil exporting countries and Caribbean banking centers.

Key information about Hong Kong SAR (China) Government Debt: % of GDP

• Hong Kong SAR (China) Government debt accounted for 49.1 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2024, compared with the ratio of 50.2 % in the previous year.
• Hong Kong SAR (China) government debt to GDP ratio data is updated yearly, available from Mar 2003 to Mar 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 50.2 % in Mar 2023 and a record low of 27.3 % in Mar 2003.

CEIC calculates Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from annual Government Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. The Treasury provides Government Debt in local currency. Census and Statistics Department provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Provision for pensions, Bonds and Notes issued and Other Liabilities. Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP is in annual frequency, ending in March of each year.


Related information about Hong Kong SAR (China) Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Hong Kong SAR (China) National Government Debt reached 190.1 USD bn in Mar 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 91.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Government; Debt Securities (Sum of Holders); Liability (FWTW), Level (BOGZ1FL314122085Q) from Q4 1945 to Q4 2024 about sum, liabilities, debt, securities, federal, government, and USA.

Key information about China Household Debt: % of GDP

• China household debt accounted for 63.3 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2023, compared with the ratio of 61.9 % in the previous quarter.
• China household debt to GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2007 to Mar 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 63.3 % in Mar 2023 and a record low of 17.9 % in Dec 2008.

CEIC calculates quarterly Household Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Household Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. The People's Bank of China provides Household Debt in local currency. The National Bureau of Statistics provides year-to-date Nominal GDP in local currency. Loans are used due to the lack of Flow of Funds statistics.


Related information about China Household Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, China Household Debt reached 10,834.1 USD bn in Jun 2023.
• Money Supply M2 in China increased 11.6 % YoY in May 2023.
• China Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 3,193.0 USD bn in Jun 2023.
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 14.9 Months of Import in Jun 2023.
• China Domestic Credit reached 43,669.0 USD bn in Jun 2023, representing an increased of 10.8 % YoY.
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.6 % in Mar 2023, compared with the ratio of 1.6 % in the previous quarter.