Who owns most of the world's debt?

Most of the world's debt isn't owned by one entity but is a mix held by corporations, governments, individuals, and financial institutions (like banks, pension funds, mutual funds), with private sectors (corporations, households) often holding the largest share, though governments (especially advanced economies like the U.S., Japan, China) carry significant amounts, often held domestically but also by foreign investors.

Who owns the most debt in the world?

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). 

Who owns most of the debt?

More than two-thirds of public debt is held by domestic holders. Note: Other Domestic includes owners of savings bonds.

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.

Which person has the largest debt in the world?

The person widely considered to have the most debt, due to a massive fraud case, is Jérôme Kerviel, a former French trader who owes billions (around $4.9 to $6.3 billion) to his former employer, Société Générale, stemming from unauthorized trades in the late 2000s, though this is a debt from a fraudulent act, not typical personal or business finance.
 

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

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.

Which actor wiped out debt for 900 families?

Actor Michael Sheen paid off $1.3 million worth of debt for his neighbors. Plus, this guy has been diving for lost golf balls for 30 years.

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.

Can the US get out of debt?

Yes, the U.S. can get out of debt, but it requires significant, often controversial, fiscal changes like substantial spending cuts (Social Security, Medicare), tax increases, or boosting economic growth dramatically; most economists agree a combination of spending reductions and revenue increases is needed to make the debt sustainable, as growing out of it alone is unlikely given current spending demands.
 

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.
 

What is the most debt anyone has ever had?

But when he does, he loses more than $6 billion. He is ... the most indebted man in the world. Jérôme Kerviel is learning one of life's harsher lessons: It stinks to be $6.3 billion in debt.

How much does China owe the USA?

China holds a significant amount of U.S. debt, primarily in Treasury bonds, with recent figures (late 2024/early 2025) showing China owning around $750-$800 billion in U.S. securities, making it the second-largest foreign holder after Japan, though this is a smaller percentage of the total U.S. debt. This amount fluctuates as China has been reducing its holdings, but it represents loans from China to the U.S. government, not a debt the U.S. owes to China in a punitive way, but rather investments in U.S. assets. 

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 country owes the US the most money?

The country that owes the U.S. the most money, in terms of holding U.S. Treasury debt, is Japan, followed by China and the United Kingdom, with Japan holding over $1 trillion as of late 2024/early 2025, having surpassed China for the top spot in recent years. This foreign-held debt represents U.S. government borrowing, where foreign entities invest in safe U.S. securities, but the U.S. government itself holds the largest portion of its own debt. 

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 country is deepest in debt?

The country with the worst debt depends on how you measure it, but Sudan often leads in debt-to-GDP ratio (around 250%+) due to conflict, while Japan has the highest among developed nations (over 230%), and the United States holds the largest absolute debt (trillions). Other nations with very high debt-to-GDP include Singapore, Greece, and Italy, with emerging economies like Sri Lanka, Laos, and Pakistan also facing severe distress. 

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 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.

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.

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. 

Who did Charlie Sheen give $100,000 to?

Charlie Sheen apparently helped fellow actor Lindsay Lohan by giving her $100,000 to help pay taxes in arrears. The former "Two And A Half Men" actor and "tiger blood" madman, who met Lohan when they worked together on "Scary Movie 5," wrote the actress a check for 110K so she could pay her bills, according to TMZ.com.

What is the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors?

Use this 11-word phrase to stop debt collectors: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately.” You can use this phrase over the phone, in an email or letter, or both.

Which billionaire pays off student loans?

The most prominent billionaire known for paying off student loans is Robert F. Smith, who in 2019 pledged $34 million to cover the student debt for the entire graduating class (396 students) at Morehouse College, an HBCU, also extending to their parents' loans. His act inspired similar giving and led to the creation of the Student Freedom Initiative, aiming to provide scalable solutions for HBCU students facing debt. Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners, urged graduates to "pay it forward," but he also faced scrutiny for past tax issues, reaching a non-prosecution agreement with the DOJ.