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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.

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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