20. United States
External debt (as % of GDP): 94.3%
External debt per capita: $43,793
Gross external debt: $13.454 trillion (2009 Q2)
2008 GDP (est): $14.26 trillion
3. United Kingdom - 408.3%
External debt (as % of GDP): 408.3%
External debt per capita: $148,702
Gross external debt: $9.087 trillion (2009 Q2)
2008 GDP (est): $2.226 trillion
1. Ireland - 1,267%
External debt (as % of GDP): 1,267%
External debt per capita: $567,805
Gross external debt: $2.386 trillion (2009 Q2)
2008 GDP (est): $188.4 billion
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External debt is a measure of a nation's foreign liabilities, capital plus interest that the government and institutions within a nation's borders must eventually pay. This number not only includes government debt, but also debt owed by corporations and individuals to entities outside their home country.
So, how does the US debt position compare to that of other countries? A useful measure of a country's debt position is by comparing gross external debt to GDP. By comparing a country's debt to what it produces, this ratio can be used to determine the likelihood that a country will be able to repay its debt. This report takes a look at the world's 75 largest economies to see which ones have the highest external debt to GDP ratio, calculated using the most recent numbers from the World Bank. We've listed the top twenty here.
Who are the world's biggest debtor nations? The rankings may surprise you!
By Paul Toscano CNBC
Updated 28 Oct 2009
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