Global Debt Climbs Above $353 Trillion in First Quarter, IIF Says

According to the Institute of International Finance (global financial industry association), global debt increased by more than $4.4 trillion while the debt-to-GDP ratio stayed near 305%.

Summary

Global debt rose by more than $4.4 trillion in the first quarter to a record nearly $353 trillion, according to the Institute of International Finance (global financial industry association) in its Global Debt Monitor report released on May 6. The report said the global debt-to-GDP ratio held roughly stable at about 305%, indicating that total borrowing continued to grow even as its share relative to overall economic output changed little.

Terms & Concepts
  • Debt-to-GDP ratio: A measure comparing total debt to economic output, often used to assess how large a debt burden is relative to the size of an economy.
  • Global debt: The combined borrowing of governments, companies, households, and financial institutions across the world.