Debt-to-GDP Ratio
A measure of a country's federal debt in relation to its gross domestic product (GDP). By comparing what a country owes and what it produces, the debt-to-GDP ratio indicates the country's ability to pay back its debt. The ratio is a coverage ratio on a national level.
Investopedia Commentary
This measure gives an idea of the ability of a country to make future payments on its debt. If a country were unable to pay its debt, it would default, which could cause a panic in the domestic and international markets. The higher the debt-to-GDP ratio, the less likely the country will pay its debt back, and the higher its risk of default.
Related Links
Current Account Deficits
Macroeconomic Analysis
See also: Country Risk, Coverage Ratio, Debt, Default, Financial Risk, Gross Domestic Product - GDP