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Debt-to-GDP Ratio: Definition and Importance

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Definition: Debt-to-GDP is the ratio of a country's public debt to its GDP. The percentage gives an idea of a country’s ability to pay back the loan. To calculate debt-to-GDP is the Total Debt of the Country divided by the Total GDP of the Country.

Simply put, the debt-to-GDP ratio is a measure/metric to interpret how well a country is equipped to pay back the debt/loan it has acquired. Let’s see an example. Suppose you have a loan of ₹10 lakhs, and your annual income is ₹30 lakhs. Here, because you earn more, you are more capable and likely to pay back. When you borrow more than you earn, it increases your debt-to-GDP ratio and increases the risk of default.

See these numbers for a better understanding. India’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 81% in 2022, compared to 260.1% for Japan, 121.3% for the US, 111.8% for France, and 101.9% for the UK.

An indicator of the country’s economy, let us see how the debt-to-GDP ratio is interpreted. A high debt-to-GDP ratio is considered to be unfavourable and indicates an increased risk of default. The World Bank mentions that a score higher than 77% over an extended period can be adverse to the economic growth of a country’s economy. 

However, also keep in mind that a score over 100% does not always indicate that a country is moving towards bankruptcy. For example, Japan’s debt-to-GDP ratio which is over 200% over the last decade shows no signs of defaulting.  A high ratio is accepted if the country is paying the interest on its debt without its economy being adversely affected. 

The chance of default decreases if a country has the financial capacity to manage its significant debts. For instance, in 2017, Greece had a debt-to-GDP ratio of 177% when its economy defaulted.

Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing. This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory. For All Disclaimers Click Here.

 

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