What countries owe the US money?

Countries "owe" the U.S. money primarily by holding U.S. Treasury securities, making Japan, China, the UK, Luxembourg, and Canada the biggest holders, not necessarily borrowers in the traditional sense. While Japan and China hold the most, they're investing in safe U.S. assets, but some nations like Brazil and France do have outstanding loans, though the largest debt picture involves foreign investment in U.S. government debt.

What countries owe the United States the most money?

Annual totals are based on data from April of each year. Inflation adjusted to the 2023 calendar year. As of April 2024, the five countries owning the most US debt are Japan ($1.1 trillion), China ($749.0 billion), the United Kingdom ($690.2 billion), Luxembourg ($373.5 billion), and Canada ($328.7 billion).

Do countries still owe the US money from WWII?

At this time only four countries, discussed below, owe the U.S. government debts of any size arising from World War II programs to aid our allies. Other countries have paid their debts in full.

Who owns over 70% of the U.S. 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 countries are most in debt?

Countries with the most debt depend on the metric, but by total debt amount, the U.S., China, and Japan lead significantly, while by debt-to-GDP ratio, smaller nations like Sudan, Japan, Singapore, and Lebanon often top the lists, with advanced economies generally holding higher burdens relative to their economic size. The U.S. has the highest total debt but lower debt-to-GDP than Japan, while countries like Japan and Italy have very high debt relative to their GDP.
 

Top 10 Countries that Owe the U.S. money – You Won’t Believe #1!

Which country has zero 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.

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 the 35 trillion in US 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.

Who was the last president to balance the US budget?

The last president to oversee a balanced federal budget was Bill Clinton, whose administration achieved budget surpluses for four consecutive years, from fiscal years 1998 to 2001, marking the first sustained period of budget balance in decades. This rare feat was due to a combination of economic growth, spending cuts, and tax increases, and it ended with the start of the new millennium, after which deficits returned. 

Who does the US owe 36 trillion to?

The U.S. owes its $36 trillion national debt to a mix of domestic investors (like banks, mutual funds, and individuals), U.S. government accounts (like Social Security), the Federal Reserve, and foreign investors, with Japan, the UK, and China being the largest foreign holders, primarily through purchasing U.S. Treasury bonds. The largest portion is held domestically, but foreign entities hold trillions, making countries like Japan and China significant lenders.
 

Is Britain still paying America for WWII?

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

Has America ever paid off its debt?

Yes, the U.S. paid off its entire national debt for the only time in history on January 1, 1835, under President Andrew Jackson, primarily from land sales and budget surpluses, but it was short-lived, with debt reappearing quickly and growing again due to economic events like the Panic of 1837, leading to continuous borrowing since. 

What country owns the most money to the US?

Drilling into the roughly 24% of U.S. federal debt held by foreign investors at the end of 2024 reveals that Japan remains the largest holder, with $1.06 trillion in U.S. Treasuries, followed by China at $759 billion.

Is U.S. debt a problem?

Yes, the U.S. national debt is widely considered a significant problem by many economists and fiscal experts, as it's at historically high levels relative to GDP, potentially slowing economic growth, increasing interest costs (especially with recent rate hikes), crowding out private investment, limiting government flexibility for future crises, and possibly undermining confidence in the dollar, despite arguments that the U.S. can manage debt in its own currency. 

Who borrowed from Social Security?

The U.S. Federal Government borrows from Social Security's trust funds (OASI & DI) by investing surplus payroll taxes into special Treasury securities, using the money for general spending like wars or tax cuts, and promising to repay it later with interest; this is a standard practice, not stealing, but it shifts future obligations, with presidents from Johnson to Bush (and beyond) participating in this "intragovernmental borrowing," which is essentially an IOU from the government to itself, backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. 

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.
 

Who has the most debt on Earth?

The United States has the most government debt in absolute dollar terms, exceeding $38 trillion, followed by China and Japan, with the top three countries holding about 60% of the world's total government debt. While the U.S. has the largest amount, Japan often ranks high for debt as a percentage of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product). 

How much does America owe China?

The United States owes China roughly $750 billion to $860 billion in U.S. Treasury securities, making China a major foreign holder, though Japan usually holds more. This debt represents only a small portion of the total U.S. national debt (around 2-3%) and isn't a significant leverage point for China, as selling it all at once is impractical and the U.S. government holds the largest share of its own debt. 

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.

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.

Can the US have unlimited debt?

In the United States, the debt ceiling is a law limiting the total amount of money the federal government can borrow. As of July 2025, the debt ceiling is $41.1 trillion after being raised by $5 trillion as part of the "Big Beautiful Bill".

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.

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 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.