Debt to GDP ratio (country list)

[morganist]

first i would say they will rise because gdp will fall in line with debt increases. second it does not take future liabilities into account such as pension payments. the uk is said to have to pay 76 percent of gdp on pensions in the coming years.

 

[piezoe]

The numbers in the table posted are pretty much useless by themselves.

Some countries have effectively no debt. Norway, for example, does issue debt instruments to facilitate cash flow, but could if needed pay off all government debt very quickly.

 

[crgarcia]

Quote from traderum:

List of countries by public debt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_public_debt

Explanation of "Debt to GDP ratio":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt-to-GDP_ratio

It seems, after Greece, that Italy and Belgium will be the next two countries in Europe with debt problems...

These figures by themselves are meaningless.

Japan tops the list, but remember Japan holds $746 Billion worth of Trasury Bonds.

A real figure would be debt LESS RESERVES, divided by the GDP.

 

[Martinghoul]

Quote from crgarcia:

These figures by themselves are meaningless.

Japan tops the list, but remember Japan holds $746 Billion worth of Trasury Bonds.

A real figure would be debt LESS RESERVES, divided by the GDP.

I would love to understand how FX reserves held by the Bank of Japan matter to the level of indebtedness of the Japanese govt...

In truth, due to the various quirks in Japanese accounting methods, the net debt/GDP figure for Japan is more like 170% or so (although opinions vary). However, it's never been about FX reserves. Obviously, if the BoJ decides to monetize govt debt and depreciate the yen, it becomes a different kettle of fish.