Government gross debt in Italy

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 138.4% 2027: 138.8% 2028: 137.6% 2029: 137.1% 2030: 136.5% 2031: 136.1%

113.1 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	113.1
Jan 1998	113.9
Jan 1997	116.5
Jan 1996	118.9
Jan 1995	119.1
Jan 1994	130.8
Jan 1993	124.1
Jan 1992	113.0
Jan 1991	105.3
Jan 1990	101.7

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

Italy's government debt is the total liabilities owed by the public sector to its creditors. It is expressed in absolute terms and, above all, as a share of GDP to assess sustainability. It is released by the Bank of Italy and ISTAT under the Maastricht definition.

How it's calculated

It is compiled under the harmonised Excessive Deficit Procedure (Maastricht) rules, summing government liabilities consolidated across subsectors. The debt-to-GDP ratio relates that stock to the size of the economy.

Market implications

Italy carries one of the highest debt ratios in the euro area, making it a standing focus for markets: it shapes issuance costs, the spread of the Italian bond (BTP) over the Bund and the decisions of rating agencies and EU fiscal policy.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency figure revised alongside the national accounts. The ratio to GDP depends on both the debt stock and nominal GDP, so inflation can lower it without any change in real borrowing.