The Largest Countries in Debt as of 2025: A Global Economic Overview
The Rising Tide of Global Debt As of 2025, global debt continues to climb, with major economies struggling under the weight of trillions of dollars in borrowing. Factors such as pandemic recovery spending, inflation, and geopolitical tensions have contributed to record-high national debts. Here, we explore the largest debtor nations and the economic implications of their rising obligations. Top Countries by National Debt 1. United States Total Debt: $34+ trillion Debt-to-GDP Ratio: ~120% The U.S. remains the world’s most indebted country, with significant borrowing to fund military expenditures, social programs, and economic stimulus measures. 2. Japan Total Debt: $10+ trillion Debt-to-GDP Ratio: ~260% Japan has one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world, largely due to decades of government spending and an aging population requiring social welfare support. 3. China Total Debt: $14+ trillion Debt-to-GDP Ratio: ~80% While China’s government debt is lower than other n...