What country has the biggest debt in the world?

The United States has the biggest absolute government debt by dollar value, exceeding $38 trillion, followed by China and Japan, but Japan has the highest debt-to-GDP ratio (over 230%), indicating a heavier burden relative to its economic output, according to late 2025 data. So, the US has the most debt overall, while Japan is the most indebted country relative to its economy size.

Which country has the highest debt in the world?

The United States has the largest national debt in absolute dollar terms, with figures nearing $38 trillion in late 2025, followed by China and Japan. However, when debt is measured as a percentage of economic output (debt-to-GDP), Japan has the highest ratio (over 230%), indicating a greater burden relative to its size, with other high-ratio countries including Greece and Italy.
 

Which country has the lowest debt?

Countries with the Lowest National Debt

• Brunei. 3.2%
• Afghanistan. 7.8%
• Kuwait. 11.5%
• Democratic Republic of Congo. 15.2%
• Eswatini. 15.5%
• Palestine. 16.4%
• Russia. 17.8%

What country owns most of our debt?

Japan is the largest foreign country holding U.S. debt, followed by China and the United Kingdom, though Japan's ownership has decreased, while the UK has increased; however, most U.S. debt is held domestically by U.S. investors, the Federal Reserve, and government trust funds. As of mid-2025, Japan held over $1 trillion in Treasuries, with China and the UK holding significant but lower amounts, and entities in financial hubs like the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg also appearing high on lists due to intermediary holdings.
 

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.

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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.

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.

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. 

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.
 

What nationality has the most debt?

In 2025, global debt remains high as advanced economies average 110% debt-to-GDP vs. 74% in emerging and developing ones. Sudan (252%) has overtaken Japan (235%) as the world's most indebted country, while the U.S. sits at 123% 💰️ Japan.

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.

Does Russia have debt?

Yes, Russia has national debt, but it's historically been low relative to its GDP, though it's increasing due to war spending, with figures around 20% of GDP in recent years, but analysts point to growing "hidden" corporate war-related borrowing as a concern, despite its significant foreign currency reserves. 

What is considered a healthy debt level?

If your debt ratio does not exceed 30%, the banks will find it excellent. Your ratio shows that if you manage your daily expenses well, you should be able to pay off your debts without worry or penalty. A debt ratio between 30% and 36% is also considered good.

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.

Is China's debt higher than the US?

Yes, China's total debt (government, corporate, household) is significantly higher than the U.S. when measured relative to its economy (Debt-to-GDP ratio), exceeding 300% of GDP and surpassing U.S. levels, though the U.S. still holds a larger absolute amount of government debt. While the U.S. government's debt pile is larger in dollars (around $38T+), China's debt-to-GDP ratio has grown faster and is considered riskier because China lacks the U.S.'s developed financial system and reserve currency status, making its situation potentially worse than America's debt problem. 

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.
 

Who got the US debt to 0?

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 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 lends US money?

The U.S. borrows money from a broad mix of domestic and foreign investors, including individual citizens, banks, pension funds, the Federal Reserve, and foreign governments like Japan, the UK, and China, by selling Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds) to cover budget gaps. This debt is split between Public Debt (held by outsiders) and Intragovernmental Debt (money owed to other U.S. government agencies, primarily Social Security).
 

Which country fully paid back the United States?

Finland's reputation as a reliable debtor was established in 1933, when Finland paid the food loan it had obtained from the United States in 1919, in full and on time. Finland was the United States' only debtor country that continued to pay its war-related debt until the end.

Who was the last president to actually balance the 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. 

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 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.

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.

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.