Countries with the Highest Debt-to-GDP Ratio 2025

About This Dataset

Countries ranked by their government debt as a percentage of GDP in 2025. Japan holds the highest debt-to-GDP ratio of any major economy, exceeding 250% — yet continues to borrow at near-zero interest rates due to the overwhelming domestic ownership of Japanese government bonds. AI-assisted data.

✨ AI Insight

Japan's debt-to-GDP ratio of 255% stands out dramatically, more than 87 percentage points higher than Greece, the second-highest at 168%. This disparity illustrates Japan's unique financial landscape, where domestic ownership of government bonds allows for sustained borrowing at low interest rates. In contrast, countries like the United States and Canada, with ratios of 123% and 107%, face different economic pressures that may limit their borrowing capacity. The high ratios in Europe, particularly Greece and Italy, suggest ongoing economic challenges and the potential for fiscal instability. This trend indicates that while some nations manage high debt levels effectively, others may struggle to maintain economic growth amid rising debt burdens.

Source: Wikipedia

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Japan leads with 255 in 2025.

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Average value in 2025: 144 · median: 129.

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Gap in 2025: Japan is 2.4× larger than Canada.