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How much U.S. debt is owned by foreign countries?

National Debt Glossary: Key terms for understanding America's financial crisis


As of January 2011, foreigners owned $4.45 trillion of U.S. debt, or approximately 47 percent of the debt held by the public of $9.49 trillion and 32 percent of the total debt of $14.1 trillion.

The largest holders were the central banks of China, Japan, the United Kingdom and Brazil.

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The share held by foreign governments has grown over time, rising from 13 percent of the public debt in 1988 to 25 percent in 2007.

SOURCE: Treasury Department

 

See all terms in the National Debt Glossary

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