Can inflation make government debt disappear? The bill moves too
Inflation can lighten the burden of old government debt. But rising interest costs, indexed bonds and budget pressures make it an unreliable escape route.
EU Debt Insights
Analysis and explainers on government debt and public finances in Europe.
Latest articles
France must borrow a record €340 billion as its debt bill rises to €72.9 billion
France has presented a record €340 billion bond programme for 2027. Its budgeted debt charge is set to rise to €72.9 billion.
France expects debt to reach 121.7% of GDP: why 60% is not a hard EU ceiling
France expects government debt to rise to 121.7% of GDP in 2027. Why is the ratio still increasing, and what does the EU's 60% reference value actually mean?
U.S. National Debt Passes $40 Trillion: What the Interest Bill Actually Costs
U.S. federal debt passed $40 trillion in August 2026. Treasury and CBO data show why the $963 billion interest bill is the more important number.
EU Debt Burden in 2026: Which Countries Are Under the Most Pressure?
Eurostat’s Q1 2026 data puts Greece at 143.5% of GDP, Italy at 138.9% and France at 117.6%. See which EU debt ratios rose fastest and what the figures mean.
EU debt update: the ratio fell, but the pile still grew to €15.37tn
The latest Eurostat release offers a picture that looks calmer than it really is. The EU debt ratio edged down in late 2025, but the total stock of government debt still rose to more than €15.37tn.
EU Debt Explained: Why Adding It All Up Helps, and Misleads
The 27 EU countries owed a combined €15.7 trillion in Q1 2026. The aggregate reveals scale, but Europe does not borrow as one sovereign government.
Europe’s debt isn’t exploding — but something feels different in 2026
EU government debt rose to 82.9% of GDP in Q1 2026. The headline is gradual change, but the country-level data reveal a widening split.
Strong Euro, Weak Dollar: What Exchange Rates Really Do to European Debt
A stronger euro can lower import prices and change growth, but it does not directly erase euro-denominated government debt. Here are the channels that actually matter.
EU Debt per Person in 2026: Belgium, Italy and France Lead
Eurostat data puts Q1 2026 EU government debt at about €35,200 per person. Compare all 27 countries and see what this measure really means.
Europe’s Defence Bill Is Rising: What It Means for Government Debt
NATO allies aim for 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035, while the EU offers fiscal flexibility and €150bn of SAFE loans. The bill still reaches national budgets.
Netherlands National Debt Live Counter: Why It Currently Runs Backwards
Dutch government debt fell by €6.34bn in Q1 2026, so the current modelled counter runs backwards. It is an estimate between Eurostat releases, not a live Treasury ledger.
Can the US Really Carry More Debt Than Europe? A 2026 Comparison
The US has a larger debt ratio than the EU but also one Treasury, a reserve currency and a deeper bond market. Those advantages are powerful—not unlimited.
Europe's Trillion-Euro Question: When Is National Debt an Investment?
Europe needs major investment in energy, digital capacity, defence and infrastructure. Borrowing can support growth, but only when projects deliver more value than their full financing cost.
Sweden's Debt Is Rising—Why the Live Counter Can Still Turn Green
Sweden's debt fell when converted to euros in Q1 2026, but rose in Swedish kronor. Here is what the green live counter measures—and what it does not.