Is there any country not in debt?

Yes, while rare, some countries maintain virtually zero national debt, often due to significant natural resources (like oil) or strong financial reserves, with examples including Macau, Brunei, Liechtenstein, and Botswana, though some, like Norway, have massive wealth funds that offset their debt, creating a net-zero or positive financial position. Most nations have some debt, viewing it as a normal economic tool for funding growth, but these outliers show it's possible to avoid it.

Which country is most in debt?

The United States has the most national debt by total dollar amount (over $38 trillion in 2025), while Japan often ranks highest for debt as a percentage of its GDP (over 230%), indicating a larger burden relative to its economy, with countries like Sudan also facing extremely high debt-to-GDP ratios. China, Japan, the UK, and France follow the U.S. in total debt figures, but Japan's debt relative to its economic size is a major concern, notes Visual Capitalist and this article from 2025.
 

Has our country ever not been in debt?

Yes, the U.S. national debt reached zero for the first and only time on January 8, 1835, under President Andrew Jackson, thanks to budget surpluses from land sales and tariffs, but it quickly grew again and has remained since, with only short periods of debt reduction.
 

Who does the US owe money to?

The U.S. owes money to a mix of domestic and foreign entities, primarily domestic investors like the Federal Reserve, mutual funds, banks, and state/local governments, along with federal trust funds (Intragovernmental Debt), and foreign countries and investors, with Japan and China often being top foreign holders. This debt is held as Treasury securities, essentially IOUs from the government to those who purchase them.
 

Is Sweden in debt?

Yes, Sweden has national debt, but it's relatively low compared to many other developed countries, with its government debt-to-GDP ratio around 33-34% in 2024-2025, though it's increasing due to higher spending, and Sweden maintains strong credit ratings. While debt has grown recently with budget deficits, Sweden has a history of fiscal management, and its debt remains manageable, supported by strong economic fundamentals and high creditworthiness.
 

If Every Country Is in Debt… Who's the Money Owed To?

Is $50,000 a good salary in Sweden?

The average monthly salary in Sweden is SEK 539,700, which is a salary of SEK 44,975. While the entry-level position starts with an average lower salary of SEK 137,400 (SEK 11,450 monthly), experienced professionals in top roles can earn as much as SEK 2,411,500 annually or SEK 200,958 per month.

Can the USA get out of debt?

There are a number of methods to reduce the U.S. national debt that go beyond raising taxes and cutting discretionary spending. One of the most controversial is to open the nation's borders to more immigration, kick-starting entrepreneurship and consumption.

How many Americans are 100% debt free?

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve.

Who owns over 70% of the US debt?

Who owns the most U.S. debt? Around 70-80 percent of U.S. debt is held by domestic financial actors and institutions in the United States. U.S. Treasuries represent a convenient, liquid, low-risk store of value.

What would happen if the US paid off all its debt?

If the U.S. paid off all its debt, it would trigger an economic crisis by eliminating safe investment options (Treasury bonds), causing a massive cash glut, crashing interest rates, disrupting monetary policy (Federal Reserve operations), forcing cuts in government services/spending, and potentially leading to a depression as the economy would lose its primary safe asset, disrupting the entire global financial system that relies on U.S. debt. The process itself, whether through extreme taxes or printing money, would likely cause hyperinflation or deep recession, while the end result removes a critical benchmark for the global economy.
 

Does the UK still owe money from WWII?

The entire loan was paid off in 2006, after it was extended six years. Signature of the loan.

What president got the US out of debt?

President Andrew Jackson is the only U.S. President to have eliminated the national debt, achieving a zero balance in 1835 by selling public lands, cutting spending, and destroying the National Bank, though the debt quickly returned, leading to the Panic of 1837. More recently, President Bill Clinton presided over the largest reduction in publicly held debt (1998-2001), achieving budget surpluses. 

Who owns the 36 trillion debt?

Who Owns All that Debt? On October 21, 2025, the nation's gross debt eclipsed $38 trillion. Of that amount, approximately 80 percent, was debt held by the public — representing cash borrowed from domestic and foreign investors.

What is the poorest country in the world?

As of late 2025/early 2026, South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world, consistently ranking last or near-last by GDP per capita due to civil conflict, political instability, and resource issues, though Afghanistan also appears at the very bottom in some rankings. Other nations like Burundi, Central African Republic, and Yemen also face extreme poverty.
 

What rank is America in debt?

The United States has the largest external debt in the world. The total amount of U.S. Treasury securities held by foreign entities in December 2021 was $7.7 trillion, up from $7.1 trillion in December 2020. Total US federal government debt breached the $30 trillion mark for the first time in history in February 2022.

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

A majority of Americans (53%) carry some, with an average balance of $7,719. However, a third of those carrying debt (32%) owe $10,000 or more, while almost 1 in 10 (9%) have credit card debt over $20,000.

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

The credit limit you can expect for a $70,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $14000 to $21000, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.

Is being debt-free the new rich?

Yes, for many people, being debt-free feels like the new rich because it provides immense financial freedom, peace of mind, and security, even if it doesn't mean having millions in the bank; it shifts the definition of wealth from pure income to a lack of financial burdens, allowing for more saving, investing, and enjoying life without stress. While traditional wealth is assets minus liabilities, eliminating debt frees up income for wealth-building, making it a significant step towards financial well-being and independence, especially as many struggle with rising costs and stagnant wages. 

What happens if the USA can't pay its debt?

A default on all outstanding U.S. Treasuries would almost surely precipitate a global financial crisis. Further, because about 70% of the debt is held by Americans, most of the savings from foregone interest payments would be at the expense of U.S. investors.

Is Trump going to forgive tax debt?

There is no IRS forgiveness plan officially introduced by Trump in 2025. While some campaign proposals have discussed tax simplification or reduced rates, they do not include debt cancellation for individuals with unpaid taxes.

What is the #1 cause of debt in the US?

The leading cause of debt in America, by far, is mortgage debt, making up about 70% of total household debt, as housing is the largest purchase for most Americans. Following mortgages, major drivers of personal debt include auto loans, student loans, credit cards, often used for unexpected expenses like medical bills, and rising costs for necessities like childcare. 

Is it cheaper to live in Sweden or the USA?

It's generally cheaper to live in Sweden than the U.S., especially when factoring in high-cost U.S. essentials like healthcare and education, but costs vary significantly by city; major Swedish cities (Stockholm) can rival expensive U.S. cities (NYC, LA) in rent, but overall consumer prices, groceries, and transportation are often lower in Sweden, balanced by higher taxes that fund universal services. 

How much do firefighters get paid in Sweden?

The average firefighter gross salary in Sweden is 555.706 kr or an equivalent hourly rate of 267 kr. In addition, they earn an average bonus of 32.231 kr. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Sweden.

How much is Sweden paying per hour?

The average annual salary in Sweden is around SEK 481, 200. Average wages in Sweden decreased to 193 SEK/Hour (2832.482 USD/Month) in July 2023.