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The public debt in the Eurozone has slightly decreased in the first quarter of 2023. The debt-to-GDP ratio decreased to 91.2% from 91.4% in the previous quarter. The highest debt ratios were recorded in Greece (168.3%), Italy (143.5%), Portugal (113.8%), Spain (112.8%), France (112.4%), and Belgium (107.4%). The lowest ratios were in Estonia (17.2%), Bulgaria (22.5%), Luxembourg (28.0%), and Denmark (29.4%). Germany's ratio was in the middle (65.9%)
Did the actual debt level decrease or just the ratio?
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The absolute level is rising slightly. Wait for public tax income to implode. Germany had minus 7.3% in June compared to 2022
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That's really interesting. What's driving that? Is it Germany specific or will we see that throughout the EU?
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Germany with its attack on their own energy and auto sector is really a special case. But the south won't be able to handle this recession because of the euro and high debt levels. A big crisis is coming to the Eurozone. Watch credit spreads between german 10y Bund and US 10Y. When the premium disappears You know it's over for them.
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"The public debt in the Eurozone has slightly decreased" That seems like doublespeak. Why would you write that here? The debt to GDP ratio slightly decreased, but the debt increased.
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It's because the GDP grew nominally
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public debt is not a ratio of public debt to GDP. that's self referential. public debt is some nebulous discreet amount of euros owed to creditors by the public.
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I always put public debt in relation to the GDP to make it comparable to other states. I guess, 99.9% of economists would be d'accord. But of course I know that the GDP measure like inflation is manipulated.
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You do not write to a room of economists, therefore to write in jargon misses your audience, both in intent and in perception.
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Ok. Tell me, where I should elaborate on somewhat deeper? I would like to make my point on public debt clear because it will be important later on in the credit cycle.
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In colloquial english the phrase "public debt" refers to the amount of nominal debt owed by a government, and NOT the ratio of nominal debt to whatever GDP is.
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Correct. And now You put this number in relation to the nominal GDP and repeat this with a number of other countries and over a defined time period to get a reverence point like an anchor. Therefore it's possible that public debt (nominal) rises meanwhile because of econ growth the ratio of pd/gdp falls.
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