A recent report by World Population Review has revealed that Pakistan ranks 33rd among the world’s most indebted countries, with a total national debt of $260.8 billion. This places the country significantly behind major economies such as the United States and India, which have accumulated far larger debts.

According to the data, Pakistan’s debt translates to approximately $543 per citizen, reflecting a much smaller debt load compared to wealthier nations. In contrast, Bangladesh holds $177.6 billion in debt, averaging $611 per person.

US Tops the Global Debt List

The United States leads the world with a colossal $32.9 trillion national debt, equivalent to roughly $76,000 per citizen — the highest per-capita debt globally. China ranks second with $15 trillion, while Japan follows in third place with $10.9 trillion in total debt.

India Climbs to 7th Position

India holds the seventh position worldwide, carrying a public debt of $3 trillion, which equates to around $504 per citizen. The country’s growing debt has been linked to its ongoing infrastructure expansion and rising fiscal spending.

Other nations among the top ten most indebted economies include:

United Kingdom – $3.4 trillion

France – $3.4 trillion

Italy – $3.1 trillion

Germany – $2.8 trillion

Canada – $2.3 trillion

Brazil – $1.8 trillion

Debt Among Muslim-Majority Countries

Within the Muslim world, Indonesia has the highest debt level at $543 billion, followed by Egypt ($377 billion), Turkey ($330 billion), Saudi Arabia ($280 billion), and Malaysia ($278 billion).

On the opposite end, Afghanistan maintains one of the lowest national debts globally, amounting to just $1.6 billion, or roughly $30 per citizen — among the smallest per-capita figures in the world.

Pakistan’s Debt in Perspective

While Pakistan’s debt level remains in the billions — far lower than India’s trillion-dollar mark — the country continues to face fiscal challenges due to rising external obligations, currency depreciation, and slow economic growth.

Experts emphasize the need for debt restructuring, export-led growth, and foreign investment inflows to stabilize the country’s financial position and reduce dependency on external borrowing.