Dubai Times

Live, Love, Leverage – Ya Habibi!
Sunday, May 11, 2025

Global Debt Reaches Unprecedented Levels Exceeding $324 Trillion

International Institute of Finance reports a significant increase in global debt, driven by major economies, with emerging markets facing record bond redemptions.
A report released today indicates that global debt has surged by approximately $7.5 trillion in the first quarter of the year, reaching an unprecedented level of over $324 trillion.

The International Institute of Finance (IIF) attributes this increase mainly to contributions from China, France, and Germany, while debt levels in Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey have experienced a decline.

The IIF noted in its Global Debt Monitor report that the sharp depreciation of the U.S. dollar against major trading partner currencies has contributed to the increased value of debt in dollar terms.

However, the rise in the first quarter was over four times the average quarterly increase of $1.7 trillion observed since the end of 2022.

The global debt-to-GDP ratio has seen a gradual decline, currently standing at just over 325 percent.

In contrast, the ratio for emerging markets has reached a record high of 245 percent.

Total debt in emerging markets exceeded $106 trillion in the first quarter, reflecting an increase of more than $3.5 trillion.

China alone accounted for more than $2 trillion of this rise, with the country's government debt-to-GDP ratio currently at 93 percent and projected to hit 100 percent by year-end.

Emerging markets excluding China also recorded unprecedented nominal debt values, with Brazil, India, and Poland experiencing the largest increases in their dollar-denominated debt.

Nevertheless, the IIF's data indicates that the debt-to-GDP ratio for these emerging markets has fallen to below 180 percent, roughly 15 percentage points lower than its all-time peak.

Emerging markets are bracing for a record $7 trillion in bond and loan maturities over the next two years, with advanced economies facing around $19 trillion in similar obligations.

The recent depreciation of the dollar has mitigated the impact of shocks for developing economies, reducing the effects of market volatility stemming from the trade wars initiated by the former U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.

The IIF remarked that prolonged policy uncertainty may necessitate more flexible fiscal policies, particularly in countries with strong trade ties to the United States.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the levels of U.S. debt and their impact on U.S. Treasury yields, stemming from substantial financing needs attributed to tax cuts.

The IIF indicated that the significant increase in the supply of U.S. Treasury bonds could exert pressure that raises yields, substantially increasing the government's interest expenses.

Under such circumstances, inflation risks may also rise.

The Trump administration views tariffs as a means to address budgetary gaps resulting from anticipated tax cuts.

However, uncertainties surrounding trade policy and disruptions in its implementation have hampered corporate spending and affected U.S. economic growth.

The report suggests that global tariffs, currently set at 10 percent, could potentially lead to reduced government revenues if they spark retaliatory measures from other nations.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump's Upcoming Visit to Gulf Nations: Investment and Security at the Forefront
Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as Pope Leo XIV, Marking a Historic Papacy
India-Pakistan conflict may be first test for Chinese military tech
Common Sense Returns to Britain's Legal System: UK Supreme Court Declares a Woman Is… a Woman
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Specialized anti-drone weapons deployed among security personnel Ahead of Papal Funeral
Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome as World Leaders Attend Funeral
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Worldwide Markets Decline as U.S.-China Trade Disputes Intensify
Removing the Political Opponent is Dismantling What Remains of Turkey's Economy
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
UAE Pledges a $1.4 Trillion Investment Plan in the United States
Revealing the Electromagnetic Characteristics of the Great Pyramid of Giza
Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Chief Amid 'Loss of Trust' and 'Qatargate' Corruption Investigations Involving Netanyahu's Advisors
China Introduces the 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery, Promising a Lifespan of Up to 5,730 Years.
U.S. Creates Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Sparking Market Boom
Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile Reaches Levels for Six Nuclear Devices
Passengers Forced to Sit Next to a Corpse for Four Hours on Qantas Flight
The negotiation teams of Trump and Putin meet, establishing the groundwork for a significant advancement.
BRICS leaders will gather in Rio de Janeiro for a summit in July.
Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs cautions Hamas against challenging Trump before the Saturday deadline.
OpenAI Revises Its Approach in Response to Intensifying AI Competition
Climate change presents substantial threats to worldwide cocoa production.
US Educator Detained in Russia Freed, Sparking Optimism for Revived US-Russia Conversations
Lebanon Inaugurates New Government with Hezbollah's Impact on Major Ministries
Report: Iran Attempted to Assassinate Trump During Election Campaign
Iran's Supreme Leader Rejects Nuclear Negotiations with the U.S.
UAE Assists in the Exchange of 300 Inmates Between Russia and Ukraine
Trump's Proposal for Gaza Provokes Global Debate
Egyptian President El-Sisi Invited for White House Meeting Following Jordanian King’s Visit
Nearly 96% of New Cars Registered in Norway in January Were Electric
Apple Abandons AR Glasses Project Amid Struggles with Technology and Market Demand
Jailed Ex-Pakistani PM Imran Khan Draws Parallels to President Trump in Fight for Justice
Apple Surpasses Revenue and Earnings Expectations, But iPhone Sales Disappoint
Iran Develops Long-Range Nuclear Missiles with North Korea's Help, Claims Report
Global Semiconductor Industry Faces Persistent Challenges Amid Efforts to Boost Production
Saudi Arabia Unveils 'Dream of the Desert' Luxury Train, First of Its Kind in the Middle East
×