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2026 · IMF projections, October 2026
Poland — outside the top 20, GDP rank 2120,770 USD per resident · 66.6 % of GDP
| GDP rank | Country | USD per resident | % of GDP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 120,720 | 126.8 |
| 2 | China | 16,043 | 104.4 |
| 3 | Germany | 42,418 | 64.6 |
| 4 | Japan | 70,576 | 199.4 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 62,316 | 102.0 |
| 6 | India | 2,284 | 83.1 |
| 7 | France | 60,945 | 118.5 |
| 8 | Russia | 3,853 | 19.3 |
| 9 | Italy | 63,262 | 137.9 |
| 10 | Brazil | 12,027 | 97.0 |
| 11 | Canada | 69,464 | 115.6 |
| 12 | South Korea | 20,577 | 47.3 |
| 13 | Mexico | 10,054 | 62.1 |
| 14 | Australia | 39,560 | 52.6 |
| 15 | Spain | 40,765 | 97.6 |
| 16 | Türkiye | 4,732 | 22.5 |
| 17 | Indonesia | 2,149 | 41.7 |
| 18 | Netherlands | 35,669 | 45.4 |
| 19 | Saudi Arabia | 12,963 | 35.4 |
| 20 | Switzerland | 47,619 | 38.3 |
Market commentary
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How much public debt per resident? The world's 20 largest economies
26 October 2026 · Projections for 2026, not a live debt counter. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. Countries selected by nominal GDP in USD in the same edition.
US gross public debt amounts to approximately USD 120,700 per resident. Japan follows at USD 70,600, and Canada at USD 69,500. These are the highest amounts among the 20 largest economies in the IMF's 2026 projections. The denominator includes all residents, including children, rather than citizens or taxpayers alone. IMF · WEO, October 2026
1. Two views of the same debt
Next come Italy (USD 63,300), the United Kingdom (USD 62,300) and France (USD 60,900). At the other end are Indonesia (USD 2,100), India (USD 2,300) and Russia (USD 3,900). Switch the chart from amounts to debt as a share of GDP, or expand the figures for all 20 countries.
A large amount per resident is not, by itself, a measure of default risk. Japan has a higher debt-to-GDP ratio than the US, approximately 199.4% versus 126.8%, despite its lower amount per resident. India's relatively small amount coexists with debt of about 83.1% of GDP. Economic income, tax revenue, interest rates, currency and maturities also matter. Dollar amounts are sensitive to exchange rates. IMF · source data
2. Where does Poland stand?
Poland ranks 21st by nominal GDP in this edition, just behind Switzerland, and is therefore shown separately. Its projection is approximately USD 20,800 of debt per resident and 66.6% of GDP. This is a statistical allocation of government liabilities, not a personal bill that each resident must pay.
3. How to read the comparison
WMA calculation: general-government gross debt in domestic currency × the USD conversion implied by IMF nominal GDP ÷ population. We use the annual conversion, rather than today's exchange rate. All figures are 2026 projections; for India, the reporting period is April 2026–March 2027. Amounts are rounded. IMF · methodology
Gross debt does not deduct government assets. This is particularly relevant to Canada, which has substantial financial and pension assets. Statistical coverage differs across countries: Japan's series is unconsolidated, while China's includes IMF adjustments relating to local-government financing. The comparison cannot replace a full assessment of public finances. Statistics Canada · 25.09.2026 IMF · database documentation
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