Which country has the worst debt?

Japan consistently has the world's highest government debt relative to its economy (GDP), around 230-240%, due to stimulus spending, while countries like Sudan also face extremely high ratios; however, the United States has the largest absolute debt in dollars, exceeding $38 trillion, though lower as a percentage of its much larger GDP. Different metrics (total debt vs. debt-to-GDP) show different leaders, with Japan typically leading in debt-to-GDP and the U.S. leading in total debt.

Which country has the highest debt in the world?

The United States has the most government debt by total dollar amount, exceeding $38 trillion in 2025, followed by China and Japan, though Japan has a much higher debt relative to its GDP (over 200%). When looking at debt as a percentage of GDP, some smaller nations like Sudan, Singapore, and Venezuela often rank higher, but the U.S., China, and Japan hold the largest absolute debt figures, influencing global markets significantly. 

What country has the lowest debt?

As the world's biggest gambling hub, Macao SAR has zero debt, bolstered by billions in gaming revenue and healthy financial reserves. Liechtenstein ranks in second, with virtually no debt and the only country in Europe ranking in the top 10.

Where does the US rank in debt?

The U.S. ranks high globally in government debt, often second or third when compared by debt-to-GDP ratio, trailing countries like Japan and sometimes Greece or Singapore, while holding the largest absolute debt total. In 2024-2025, its debt-to-GDP ratio hovers around 120-125%, placing it among the most indebted nations relative to economic size, with Japan typically leading by percentage.
 

Who owns over 70% of the U.S. debt?

No single entity owns over 70% of U.S. debt, but roughly 70-80% is held domestically by U.S. investors and institutions like the Federal Reserve, Social Security, mutual funds, and banks, with the rest held by foreign investors, mainly Japan, China, and the U.K. It's a mix of internal (government-to-government) and public (investors) holdings, with domestic investors holding the largest share of the public debt.
 

Why Every Country Is in Debt? And Who Do They Owe?

What would happen if China sold U.S. debt?

Since the U.S. dollar has a variable exchange rate, however, any sale by any nation holding huge U.S. debt or dollar reserves will trigger the adjustment of the trade balance at the international level. The offloaded U.S. reserves by China will either end up with another nation or will return to the U.S.

What percent of Americans are 100% debt free?

About 23% of Americans are 100% debt-free, according to recent Federal Reserve data, meaning they have zero debt across all categories like mortgages, student loans, and credit cards, though figures can vary slightly by source and definition, with younger adults (Gen Z) showing higher rates of debt freedom and older adults often carrying more, notes WalletHub, National Debt Relief, and the Urban Institute. 

Can China call in U.S. debt?

Even if China wished to “call in” its loans, the use of credit as a coercive measure is complicated and often heavily constrained. A creditor can only dictate terms for the debtor country if that debtor has no other options, but U.S. debt is a widely held and extremely desirable asset in the global economy.

How many Americans have $20,000 in credit card debt?

While exact real-time figures vary, recent data from early 2025 suggests around 23% of Americans who have maxed out their credit cards owe over $20,000, indicating a significant portion of cardholders are in high debt, though the broader population figure is lower, with about 6% of all credit card holders holding balances above $20,000 as of late 2023. Overall, total U.S. credit card debt is over $1.2 trillion, with the average household carrying substantial debt, driven by inflation and everyday expenses. 

Who does the US owe 36 trillion to?

The U.S. owes its $36 trillion debt to a mix of domestic investors (like private individuals, mutual funds, the Federal Reserve, banks) and foreign entities, with Japan and China holding significant portions of the foreign-held debt, alongside the U.S. government owing money to its own trust funds (like Social Security). Roughly 70-80% is held domestically, while the rest is owned by foreign investors, primarily Japan and the UK.
 

Which country is not in any debt?

There is no independent country that is completely debt-free. Having national debt is considered normal in modern economic systems. The country with the highest national debt is Japan. The United States is not a debt-free country.

Did the US ever have zero debt?

The U.S. has had debt since its inception. Our records show that debts incurred during the American Revolutionary War amounted to $75,463,476.52 by January 1, 1791. Over the following 45 years, the debt grew. Notably, the public debt actually shrank to zero by January 1835, under President Andrew Jackson.

What country has the worst debt problem?

The country with the "worst" debt depends on the metric: the United States has the highest total government debt by far ($38.3 trillion in 2025), while Japan holds the highest debt relative to its economy (GDP), around 230-240%. Sudan and Lebanon also face extreme debt-to-GDP ratios, driven by conflict and economic crises, with Sudan exceeding 250% of GDP and Lebanon over 160%.
 

Who is in more debt, the US or China?

While the U.S. has a higher national debt in absolute dollar terms and a higher debt-to-GDP ratio, China's total debt (including government, corporate, and household) is potentially much larger, making its overall debt burden comparable or even greater, though harder to measure precisely due to its different economic structure with state-owned enterprises. The U.S. holds the world's largest government debt, but China's extensive credit-fueled investment and shadow banking create a complex, vast debt situation, with some estimates placing its total debt well over 300% of GDP. 

What is the poorest country in the world 2025?

South Sudan is the poorest country in the world in 2025, with a $251 GDP per capita. More startlingly, India makes the list as well. It's the 50th poorest by GDP per capita ($2,878), a rare case of a top-five economy by GDP having low levels of individual productivity.

Why is US debt so high?

The U.S. is in debt because it consistently spends more than it collects in revenue, creating annual deficits that add to the national debt, driven by structural factors like aging populations requiring more Social Security/Medicare, rising healthcare costs, increasing interest on the debt itself, and major spending on defense and unexpected crises (like pandemics or wars), coupled with tax policies that don't generate enough revenue to cover these expenses.
 

What is the credit card limit for $70,000 salary?

With a $70,000 salary, you could expect a total credit limit between $14,000 and $21,000 across all cards, potentially much higher for a single premium card if you have excellent credit and low debt, but it depends heavily on your credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and the issuer's specific policies. A good score, stable income, and low existing debt are key to getting higher limits, with some with excellent profiles reaching $30,000-$50,000 on single cards. 

How many Americans have maxed out credit cards?

Its recent survey of 1,000 American adults found that 32 percent of Americans had maxed out their credit cards, 37 percent used credit cards regularly just to make ends meet, and 44 percent said inflation had caused them to carry larger monthly balances.

Does the debt ever get paid off?

The United States federal government has continuously had a fluctuating public debt since its formation in 1789, except for about a year during 1835–1836, a period in which the nation, during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, completely paid the national debt.

What country owes America the most money?

The U.S. owes the most money to Japan, which has been the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt for years, followed by China and the United Kingdom, though the majority of U.S. debt is held domestically by entities like the government and private investors, not foreign countries. 

What happens if countries stop buying U.S. debt?

Decline in the Dollar's Value: Reduced demand for U.S. Treasury bonds could weaken the U.S. dollar, making imports more expensive resulting in higher inflation in the U.S. A weaker dollar may also increase the burden of dollar-denominated debt for foreign borrowers thus adding to our national debt problem.

How many people retire with no debt?

Just over half, 53%, of all Americans think that they will enter retirement debt-free, but only 23% do so. Eight in 10 middle-income Baby Boomers not yet retired currently carry some debt, and among those who are retired, 77% still carry debt.

Which gender has more debt?

Men have 2 percent more credit card debt than women. Men have 9.7 percent more mortgage debt than women. Men have 20 percent more personal loan debt than women. Women have 2.7 percent more student loan debt than men.

How many Americans have $1000 in savings?

While figures vary by survey, a significant portion of Americans, often around 40% to 50%, lack $1,000 in savings, with many struggling to cover unexpected expenses, though other reports suggest a larger majority (over 70%) might have some savings, even if less than $1,000 for many. Recent data shows about 30-40% struggle with a $1,000 emergency, highlighting challenges from rising costs, though older data suggests around 69% have less than $1,000 in savings.