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The government debt-to-GDP ratio is a key indicator of a country’s financial health. It provides insight into the government’s capacity to manage its debt, shapes fiscal policy flexibility, and plays a crucial role in influencing investor confidence.
This graphic, created in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation, shows public debt as a percentage of GDP across 30 major economies. Data is from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook.
The analysis comes from the 2024 Sustainable Trade Index (STI), which the Hinrich Foundation produced in collaboration with the IMD World Competitiveness Center.
Japan has been in this fiscal situation for 30 years. They have been able to manage with the Yen being the release valve. The question is can all the major economies of the world run Japan's playbook at the same time. Remains to be seen.
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Wow, didnt realize japans debt was so large compared to everyone elses. Singapore seems to be doing well with zero. Why isnt it first, then?
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The chart represents gov debt. if singapore had 0 it would be in last place, not first. The note on Singapore with net 0, I think, is the total debt (gov + private (creditors?)). But I'm not sure. Maybe @Undisciplined can clarify.
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I don't think it's referring to private debt. My impression is that Singapore must hold as much debt as it has taken out: i.e. their national government holds the same amount of foreign debt as it has borrowed.
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