Government gross debt in Germany

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 64.6% 2027: 66.5% 2028: 68.4% 2029: 70.2% 2030: 72.0% 2031: 73.7%

60.3 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	60.3
Jan 1998	59.4
Jan 1997	58.8
Jan 1996	57.7
Jan 1995	54.9
Jan 1994	47.5
Jan 1993	45.1
Jan 1992	41.4
Jan 1991	39.0

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Germany's government debt is the total payment obligations (liabilities) that the general government owes to its creditors. It is usually expressed in absolute terms and, above all, as a share of GDP to assess its sustainability.

How it's calculated

It is measured under the EU's harmonised rules (Maastricht or EDP debt) by adding up the liabilities of all levels of government (debt securities, loans and deposits), consolidated across subsectors. The debt-to-GDP ratio relates that stock to the size of the economy.

Market implications

A high or rising debt level weighs on the sustainability of public finances, the government's funding cost and the room for fiscal policy. German debt is a European benchmark, as the Bund serves as the euro area's safe-haven asset.

Limitations

The figure is low-frequency and is revised with the national accounts. The ratio to GDP depends both on the debt stock and on nominal GDP, so it can move without any change in borrowing.