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FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF U.S. NATIONAL DEBT

Submitted by christian on Sat, 10/05/2013 - 11:45

The U.S. debt is nearly $16 trillion.  According to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO), U.S. debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) is now 73%, twice as much as it was at the end of 2007.

Foreign governments and investors own U.S.$ 5.590 trillion of the U.S. public debt. As of July 2013, China was the largest holder, at $1.277 trillion. Japan came in second, at $1.135 trillion. The Caribbean Banking Centers [Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Netherlands Antillas, Panama] have also increased their holdings in recent years, and are now third, holding $288 billion. The Bureau of International Settlements has stated that the Caribbean centers, Luxembourg (at $147 billion) and Belgium ($176 billion) are probably fronts for oil-exporting countries and hedge fund that don't want to reveal their positions.

The Oil exporting countries [Ecuador, Venezuela, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Gabon, Libya, Algeria] have increased their holdings, and edging up to become #4 at $258 billion. Brazil is the fifth largest holder, at $256 billion. The next largest holders are Taiwan, Switzerland, Russia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Foreign Ownership of U.S. Treasury Securities (US $)  (As of July 2013)

  1. China: 1.277 trillion
  2. Japan: 1.135 trillion
  3. Caribbean Banking Centers: 288 billion
  4. Oil Exporters: 258 billion
  5. Brazil: 256 billion
  6. Taiwan: 186 billion
  7. Switzerland: 178 billion
  8. United Kingdom: 157 billion
  9. Luxembourg: 147 billion
  10. Russia: 132 billion
  11. Hong Kong: 120 billion
  12. Ireland: 117 billion
  13. Singapore: 82 billion
  14. Canada: 65 billion
  15. Mexico: 63 billion
  16. India: 59 billion
  17. Germany: 56 billion
  18. Turkey: 55 billion
  19. Korea: 51 billion
  20. France: 50 billion
  21. Thailand: 44 billion
  22. Philippines: 39 billion
  23. Australia: 33 billion
  24. Sweden: 32 billion
  25. Poland: 32 billion
  26. Chile: 29 billion
  27. Netherlands: 29 billion
  28. Italy: 27 billion
  29. Spain: 22 billion
  30. Israel: 21 billion
  31. Malaysia: 16 billion
  32. Peru: 15 billion
  33. South Africa: 14 billion
  34. Denmark: 13 billion
  35. All other: 214 billion

Grand Total: 5.590 trillion

 

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