Do you know which countries own the most U.S. debt?

Do You Know? From: karlascottspeaker.blogspot.com

Today’s topic: Which foreign countries own the most US debt?


(In billions)

1. Japan ($589.9)
2. China ($541)
3. United Kingdom ($307.4)
4. OPEC Nations ($179.8) (Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Venezuela)
5. Caribbean Banking Centers ($147.7) (Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Netherlands, Antilles, Panama, and British VI).


More than 20% of our total GDP is owed to foreign governments and investors. Since a large chunk of our country’s wealth will leave our economy to pay back overseas loans, how will this cash outflow affect our standing in the world? The US emerged as a major global power after WWI and the UK declined in part because we owned so much of their debt. Today, the UK is our 3rd largest creditor.

Source: US Dept of Treasury/Federal Reserve