China Government Debt to GDP — 2026 Data & Trend
China's government debt was 98.61% in December 2025, up from 90.51% the previous year. A year earlier it stood at 90.51%.
China's government debt stands at 98.61% as of December 2025. The government debt currently sits at 98.61% (up from 90.51% in the prior year). Across the tracked window it has ranged between 20.40% and 98.61%, and is 8.10% higher than a year ago.
The trend
Among the 192 economies tracked on this platform, China ranks #25 on government debt by latest value. It rose from 90.51% in the previous year, and compares with a year-earlier 90.51%.
What's driving it
The debt ratio moves with budget deficits, growth, interest costs and the currency; faster nominal growth lowers it, while wide deficits push it up.
Recent readings
| Period | Government debt |
|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | 98.61% |
| Dec 2024 | 90.51% |
| Dec 2023 | 84.08% |
| Dec 2022 | 77.25% |
| Dec 2021 | 72.08% |
| Dec 2020 | 70.61% |
| Dec 2019 | 59.88% |
| Dec 2018 | 55.72% |
Data: Source: IMF — International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity (IRFCL), International Liquidity (IL), Monetary and Financial Statistics (MFS), World Economic Outlook (WEO). Figures carry an effective date; confirm with the source before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
How Much Government Debt Does China Have in 2026?
China's government debt was 98.61% in December 2025, up from 90.51% the previous year. A year earlier it stood at 90.51%.
Is the government debt rising or falling in China?
It rose in the latest reading — 98.61% in December 2025 versus 90.51% a year earlier. Year on year it is higher.
What is government debt?
It measures total public debt expressed as a share of gross domestic product (debt-to-GDP).