0
$\begingroup$

While looking at debt to GDP ratio of various countries, I had difficulty with different figures on different websites. Look at this which shows China's debt to GDP ratio as 43.9%: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/china/government-debt-to-gdp

Then there are many other links which show China's debt as 250% of GDP. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jun/16/chinas-debt-is-250-of-gdp-and-could-be-fatal-says-government-expert

What am I missing here?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Avnish, if you ever want to get an accurate read on a nation's debt-to-GDP ratio, first learn the formula. So you would take debt, let's say $22 Trillion. Divide that by GDP, let's say $60 Trillion (22 ÷ 60 = 0.37), that would be a debt-to-GDP ratio of 37%, about where it was in the United States in 1789 and 1981 by the way. Assuming the debt and GDP numbers you obtain are accurate, all you need is the formula and you will know how accurate it is from any source you read. By the way, United States current debt-to-GDP is 105% (22 ÷ 21 = 1.05), way over the risky threshold that most economists a $\endgroup$
    – Daniel
    Sep 7, 2019 at 4:28

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

The answer is in the the first line and title of the articles. Not all debt is government debt. One calculation also includes household and corporate debt.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.