Free, citable government-debt data — built to be used.
Everything here is free to embed, cite, and republish with attribution. Figures follow the IMF World Economic Outlook (general government gross debt), are reviewed quarterly, and every number is reproducible to a timestamp.
1 Cite a figure
Pick a country, then copy a ready-to-paste citation. Each one includes a reproducible snapshot URL that locks the exact number to a timestamp, so an editor or fact-checker can verify it later.
2 Embed a live counter
Drop a live, self-updating debt counter into any article or page. Works anywhere iframes are allowed. Free for editorial and non-commercial use; contact us for commercial licensing.
3 Ready-made share cards
Every country and every country-vs-country comparison has a 1200×630 social card. Share the page URL and it appears automatically — or hot-link the image directly.
4 Use the API
A free, open REST API — no key, CORS enabled, attribution appreciated. Full spec: OpenAPI · llms.txt · MCP.
- GET /api/debt?c={id} — live value for one country (or omit c for all 138)
- GET /api/debt/snapshot?c={id}&t={iso} — reproducible point-in-time figure, safe to cite
- GET /api/compare?a={id}&b={id} — side-by-side with deltas
- GET /api/rank?by={field} — pre-sorted rankings (debt, gdpPct, rate, perCapita)
- GET /api/debt/history?c={id} — historical baselines
5 The full dataset
The complete baseline dataset for all 138 countries — names, regions, base figures, growth rates, debt-to-GDP and population — as one JSON file, ideal for analysis or building your own visual.
- /data/debt.json — full static dataset
- /countries — discovery index (IDs, names, page URLs)
- Need a custom feed or bulk historical export? Get in touch.
6 Methodology & the fine print
Figures are computed by linear extrapolation from IMF general government gross debt baselines (Fiscal Monitor / WEO, April 2026) plus national-treasury data, and reviewed quarterly. China is shown on the narrow general-government basis; the US uses the closely comparable US Treasury total-public-debt figure. These are educational estimates, not certified accounting totals — actual debt changes through discrete bond issuances. Full detail on the methodology page.
7 Talk to us
Questions about the data, a figure you want verified, an interview, or commercial licensing? Email [email protected]. Attribution as “Global Debt Clock” with a link is appreciated wherever you use the data.