Germany Private Debt to GDP

Credit to the private non-financial sector (households and companies) as a percentage of GDP.

Private Debt to GDP in Germany decreased to 134.80 percent of GDP in Q1 2026 from 134.90 percent of GDP in Q4 2025.

134.8%
▼ −0.1 ppQ1 2026 · previous 134.9%Quarterly · percent of GDP · Source: Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

Germany Private Debt to GDP — History

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Germany Private Debt to GDP — analysis in simple words

Latest reading

Private Debt to GDP in Germany decreased to 134.80 percent of GDP in Q1 2026 from 134.90 percent of GDP in Q4 2025.

It has fallen in each of the last three quarters.

Recent trend

A year earlier (Q1 2025) it was 136.5%, so the latest figure is 1.7 percentage points lower.

Over the past five years the average was 140.7%, with a range from 134.8% to 147.3%. The latest value is below that five-year average.

Historical context

This data series starts in Q4 1960 and has 262 quarterly observations. The latest reading is higher than 65% of all of them.

The highest value on record is 153.4% (Q3 2003) and the lowest is 63.2% (Q4 1960). The long-run average is 116.8%.

Compared with other countries

Among 43 economies with recent data, Germany ranks 21st from the top. The median across all these economies is 130.3%, so Germany is above the typical country.

Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 10th.

Within Europe & Central Asia (22 economies with data) it ranks 10th; the regional median is 129.0%.

Statistics

Latest
134.8%Q1 2026
Previous
134.9%
5-year average
140.7%
Long-run average
116.8%since Q4 1960
All-time high
153.4%Q3 2003
All-time low
63.2%Q4 1960
Observations
262Quarterly

Recent Data

PeriodValueChange
Q1 2026134.8%▼ −0.1 pp
Q4 2025134.9%▼ −1.0 pp
Q3 2025135.9%▼ −0.4 pp
Q2 2025136.3%▼ −0.2 pp
Q1 2025136.5%▲ +0.6 pp
Q4 2024135.9%▼ −1.0 pp
Q3 2024136.9%▼ −0.1 pp
Q2 2024137.0%▼ −0.5 pp
Q1 2024137.5%▼ −0.9 pp
Q4 2023138.4%▼ −1.5 pp
Q3 2023139.9%▼ −1.9 pp
Q2 2023141.8%▼ −1.6 pp
Q1 2023143.4%▼ −2.1 pp
Q4 2022145.5%▼ −1.4 pp
Q3 2022146.9%▲ +1.4 pp
Q2 2022145.5%▼ −0.3 pp
Q1 2022145.8%▼ −0.6 pp
Q4 2021146.4%▼ −0.2 pp
Q3 2021146.6%▼ −0.7 pp
Q2 2021147.3%▼ −2.7 pp
Q1 2021150.0%▲ +2.3 pp
Q4 2020147.7%▲ +1.7 pp
Q3 2020146.0%▲ +2.5 pp
Q2 2020143.5%▲ +5.4 pp
Q1 2020138.1%▲ +1.1 pp
Q4 2019137.0%▲ +0.4 pp
Q3 2019136.6%▲ +0.1 pp
Q2 2019136.5%▲ +1.2 pp
Q1 2019135.3%▲ +1.0 pp
Q4 2018134.3%

Private Debt to GDP — Germany vs Peers

Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Germany highlighted.

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More Germany indicators

Understanding Private Debt to GDP — a simple guide

What it measures

Credit to the private non-financial sector — households and non-financial companies — as a percentage of GDP (BIS).

How it is calculated

Loans and debt securities owed by households and non-financial companies ÷ GDP × 100 (BIS).

Simple example

A ratio of 90% means private borrowers owe almost one year of national output.

▲ When it is high or rising

High or fast-rising private debt can increase financial stability risks.

▼ When it is low or falling

Low private debt can mean room for credit growth, or limited access to finance.

Why it matters for the economy and markets

Private leverage affects financial stability; rapid credit booms have historically preceded banking stress.

How to read it

The BIS “credit-to-GDP gap” approach looks at how far the ratio is above its long-run trend rather than the level alone.

Data source

Bank for International Settlements (BIS) (series WS_TC/P.A.M.770.A), quarterly data from Q4 1960 to Q1 2026. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.

How to use the chart

Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current private debt to gdp of Germany?
Germany private debt to gdp was 134.8% in Q1 2026, compared with 134.9% in the previous period, according to Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
What is the highest and lowest private debt to gdp of Germany?
Since Q4 1960, the highest reading was 153.4% (Q3 2003) and the lowest was 63.2% (Q4 1960).
What does private debt to gdp measure?
Credit to the private non-financial sector — households and non-financial companies — as a percentage of GDP (BIS).

Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.