Korea vs USA — Debt to GDP
What counts as "low"?
US federal debt is ≈122% of GDP, Korea D1 is ≈46%. The gap narrows once reserve-currency status, domestic holdings, and tax base are factored.
| Country / Series | Debt / GDP | Household / GDP | GDP (T USD) | Debt (T USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA (federal) | 122.0% | — | 29 | 35 | |
| Korea (D1) | 45.8% | — | 1.92 | 0.88 | |
| Korea (D2) | 56.5% | — | 1.92 | 1.09 |
Takeaway
Cross-country comparison requires harmonizing definitions (D1/D2/D3). See /glossary/.
Sources: US Treasury, IMF WEO Apr 2025, MoEF Open Fiscal Data.