Economy
Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio
Definition
Total government debt expressed as a percentage of GDP, indicating a country's ability to pay back its obligations.
Explanation
A debt-to-GDP ratio over 100% means a country owes more than its annual economic output. Japan leads the world at over 250%. However, debt sustainability depends on interest rates, currency, and growth — Japan borrows cheaply in yen from domestic lenders, while developing countries borrowing in USD face more risk. The IMF recommends keeping debt below 60% of GDP for emerging markets.
See Current Data
Explore government debt-to-gdp ratio data for all 218 countries with interactive charts and historical trends.
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