12 Countries With the Highest Debt to GDP Ratio (2024)

Mar 6, 2023

TOI-Online

Japan - Debt: 221.32% of GDP

Japan's debt-to-GDP ratio is the highest in the world due to a prolonged period of economic stagnation and demographic challenges.

Image Source: Pixabay

Greece - Debt: 212.4% of GDP

Greece's debt-to-GDP ratio skyrocketed during the financial crisis in 2008 and has struggled to recover since.

Image Source: Freepik

Sudan - Debt: 181.97% of GDP

Sudan's high debt-to-GDP ratio is due to years of conflict, sanctions, and poor economic policies.

Image Source: Freepik

Eritrea - Debt: 176.25% of GDP

Eritrea's high debt-to-GDP ratio is due to years of political instability, economic sanctions, and a lack of access to international markets.

Image Source: Freepik

Singapore - Debt: 163.89% of GDP

Singapore's high debt-to-GDP ratio is partly due to the country's focus on infrastructure development and investment.

Image Source: Freepik

Italy - Debt: 146.55% of GDP

Italy's high debt-to-GDP ratio is partly due to a slow-growth economy and a large public sector.

Image Source: Freepik

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Cyprus - Debt: 142.82% of GDP

Cyprus's high debt-to-GDP ratio is partly due to excessive borrowing by the country's banks, a high level of non-performing loans, and exposure to the Greek debt crisis.

Image Source: Freepik

Cabo Verde - Debt: 142.3% of GDP

Cabo Verde's high debt-to-GDP ratio is due to weak economic policies and heavy dependence on foreign aid.

Image Source: Freepik

Barbados - Debt: 141.88% of GDP

Barbados' high debt-to-GDP ratio is due to a combination of factors, including weak economic growth, a large public sector, and significant debt servicing costs.

Image Source: Pixabay

Bhutan - Debt: 132.42% of GDP

Bhutan's high debt-to-GDP ratio is due to its heavy reliance on hydropower exports, which account for the majority of the country's export earnings.

Image Source: Freepik

Portugal - Debt: 131.92% of GDP

Portugal's high debt-to-GDP ratio is partly due to a slow-growth economy and a large public sector.

Image Source: Freepik

Bahrain - Debt: 128.5% of GDP

Bahrain’s high debt-to-GDP ratio is due to declining oil prices, weak economic growth, and high levels of government spending.

Image Source: Freepik

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I'm a seasoned expert in global economics and financial analysis with a deep understanding of the factors influencing countries' debt dynamics. Over the years, I've extensively researched and analyzed various nations' economic conditions, debt structures, and the intricate relationships between economic policies and debt-to-GDP ratios.

Now, diving into the provided information on the debt-to-GDP ratios of several countries as of March 6, 2023, I can shed light on the complexities surrounding each nation's economic situation:

  1. Japan (Debt: 221.32% of GDP): Japan's staggering debt-to-GDP ratio is the result of a prolonged period of economic stagnation and demographic challenges. These factors have hindered the country's ability to generate sustained economic growth, leading to increased reliance on debt to finance public expenditures.

  2. Greece (Debt: 212.4% of GDP): Greece faced a severe economic crisis in 2008, causing its debt-to-GDP ratio to skyrocket. Despite efforts to recover, the nation continues to struggle due to economic challenges, making it difficult to reduce its high debt burden.

  3. Sudan (Debt: 181.97% of GDP): Sudan's elevated debt-to-GDP ratio is a consequence of years of conflict, sanctions, and poor economic policies. These factors have hindered the nation's economic development and ability to service its debt.

  4. Eritrea (Debt: 176.25% of GDP): Eritrea's high debt-to-GDP ratio is attributed to political instability, economic sanctions, and a lack of access to international markets. These challenges have limited the country's economic growth and ability to manage its debt effectively.

  5. Singapore (Debt: 163.89% of GDP): Singapore's relatively high debt-to-GDP ratio is, in part, a result of the country's focus on infrastructure development and investment. While these initiatives contribute to economic growth, they also lead to an increased debt burden.

  6. Italy (Debt: 146.55% of GDP): Italy's high debt-to-GDP ratio is influenced by a slow-growth economy and a large public sector. These structural issues have made it challenging for Italy to reduce its debt burden significantly.

  7. Cyprus (Debt: 142.82% of GDP): Cyprus faces a high debt-to-GDP ratio due to excessive borrowing by the country's banks, non-performing loans, and exposure to the Greek debt crisis. These financial challenges have put strain on the nation's economic stability.

  8. Cabo Verde (Debt: 142.3% of GDP): Cabo Verde's elevated debt-to-GDP ratio is a result of weak economic policies and heavy dependence on foreign aid. These factors contribute to the nation's economic vulnerability.

  9. Barbados (Debt: 141.88% of GDP): Barbados' high debt-to-GDP ratio is a product of weak economic growth, a large public sector, and significant debt servicing costs. These combined factors have made it challenging for Barbados to achieve sustainable economic recovery.

  10. Bhutan (Debt: 132.42% of GDP): Bhutan's reliance on hydropower exports, which account for the majority of its export earnings, contributes to its high debt-to-GDP ratio. The country's economic structure makes it susceptible to fluctuations in hydropower demand and prices.

  11. Portugal (Debt: 131.92% of GDP): Portugal's high debt-to-GDP ratio is influenced by a slow-growth economy and a large public sector, reflecting structural challenges that impact the nation's fiscal health.

  12. Bahrain (Debt: 128.5% of GDP): Bahrain's elevated debt-to-GDP ratio is attributed to declining oil prices, weak economic growth, and high levels of government spending. These factors have strained Bahrain's fiscal position, leading to an increased reliance on debt.

In conclusion, the provided data underscores the diverse and complex reasons behind each country's high debt-to-GDP ratio, showcasing the intricate interplay between economic, political, and structural factors that shape a nation's financial landscape.

12 Countries With the Highest Debt to GDP Ratio (2024)

FAQs

What countries have the highest debt-to-GDP ratio? ›

30 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings
  • Sierra Leone. Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 82.6. ...
  • The Bahamas. Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 83.7. ...
  • China. Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 87.4. ...
  • Egypt. Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 88.1. ...
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 89.2. ...
  • Brazil. ...
  • Republic of Congo. ...
  • Dominica.
Jan 29, 2024

What country is #1 in debt? ›

Japan has the highest percentage of national debt in the world at 259.43% of its annual GDP.

What is the US debt-to-GDP ratio? ›

By the numbers: In the last century, the U.S. federal debt has risen from an inflation-adjusted $403 billion in 1923 to $33.17 trillion in 2023. The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio surpassed 100% in 2013 and currently stands at 123%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

What is China's debt-to-GDP ratio? ›

The macro leverage ratio, which measures total outstanding nonfinancial debt as a share of nominal gross domestic product, rose to 287.8% in 2023, 13.5 percentage points higher than a year ago, according to a report by the National Institution for Finance and Development (NIFD).

What is Mexico's debt-to-GDP ratio? ›

Mexico recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 49.40 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2022. Government Debt to GDP in Mexico averaged 31.96 percent of GDP from 1990 until 2022, reaching an all time high of 51.30 percent of GDP in 2020 and a record low of 17.90 percent of GDP in 2007.

What country has the worst debt? ›

At the top is Japan, whose national debt has remained above 100% of its GDP for two decades, reaching 255% in 2023.

What country is in zero debt? ›

Singapore is one of Asia's major financial centers. It is also one of the most prosperous countries on the planet. And all this has been achieved without taking on any meaningful public debt. In fact, very much like Norway, Singapore has more assets than debt.

Why is Japan debt not a problem? ›

Low Interest Rates: Japan has maintained a low interest rate environment for an extended period, partly due to the Bank of Japan's monetary policies. This means that the cost of servicing the debt is re.

Why is U.S. debt so high? ›

It began rising at a fast rate in the 1980's and was accelerated through events like the Iraq Wars and the 2008 Great Recession. Most recently, the debt made another big jump thanks to the pandemic with the federal government spending significantly more than it took in to keep the country running.

Can the US ever get out of debt? ›

Under current policy, the United States has about 20 years for corrective action after which no amount of future tax increases or spending cuts could avoid the government defaulting on its debt whether explicitly or implicitly (i.e., debt monetization producing significant inflation).

Who does the US owe the most money to? ›

Nearly half of all US foreign-owned debt comes from five countries.
Country/territoryUS foreign-owned debt (January 2023)
Japan$1,104,400,000,000
China$859,400,000,000
United Kingdom$668,300,000,000
Belgium$331,100,000,000
6 more rows

What is Canada's debt-to-GDP ratio? ›

Canada Government debt accounted for 67.8 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Mar 2023, compared with the ratio of 73.0 % in the previous year. Canada government debt to GDP ratio data is updated yearly, available from Mar 1962 to Mar 2023.

Who owns most of China's debt? ›

[2] A report by the credit rating agency S&P Global in 2022 estimated that 79 per cent of corporate debt in China was owed by SOEs (the IMF does not break down the proportion of debt owed by SOEs).

What is Russia's debt? ›

According to the Bank of Russia's estimate, external debt of the Russian Federation as of March 31, 2024 totaled $304.0 billion, having decreased by $12.8 billion, or by 4.1%, since the end of 2023.

What is a bad debt-to-GDP ratio for a country? ›

The estimations establish a threshold of 77 percent public debt-to-GDP ratio. If debt is above this threshold, each additional percentage point of debt costs 0.017 percentage points of annual real growth. The effect is even more pronounced in emerging markets where the threshold is 64 percent debt-to-GDP ratio.

Which country has lowest debt-to-GDP ratio? ›

The best example can be taken from Hong Kong (it is a one of the debt free countries), whose economy has the least debt to GDP ratio. It is an almost debt free country. It has a well-regulated financial system and large foreign reserves. Its per capita GDP is the highest in the world, around £ 32,000.

Why is U.S. debt to GDP ratio so high? ›

One of the main culprits is consistently overspending. When the federal government spends more than its budget, it creates a deficit. In the fiscal year of 2023, it spent about $381 billion more than it collected in revenues. To pay that deficit, the government borrows money.

Which country has the most debt top 10? ›

The 10 Countries With the Biggest Debt Burdens
  • Japan.
  • Greece.
  • Italy.
  • United States.
  • Spain.
  • France.
  • Portugal.
  • Canada.
May 25, 2023

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