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Global Debt Surges Past $100 Trillion Amid Rising Interest Rates

by News Editor

March 21, 2025

As of just a few moments ago, global debt has surpassed the alarming threshold of $100 trillion, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This significant milestone, driven by increasing interest rates, forces borrowers worldwide to make tougher financial decisions, urging a shift towards prioritizing productive investments. In 2023, global debt stood at $97 trillion.

Key Insights

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Debt growth is coupled with a significant rise in interest expenses, pushing borrowers to carefully consider their financial priorities.
From 2021 to 2024, the interest expenditure as a percentage of GDP climbed to its highest in two decades.
OECD member countries now allocate 3.3% of their GDP to interest payments, exceeding their defense budgets.
Despite central banks easing interest rates, borrowing costs remain significantly above pre-2022 levels, suggesting further upward pressure on interest expenses.
This scenario unfolds as countries, like Germany with ambitious infrastructure plans, face heightened fiscal demands. Moreover, challenges linked to the green transition and an aging population present further financial hurdles for major economies.

What to Watch

The OECD warns that the combination of elevated costs and growing debt could constrain future borrowing capabilities at a time when investment needs are more critical than ever. Managing debt sustainably to foster long-term growth and productivity is paramount.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties continue to impact international capital flows, adding complexity to the global financial environment. Ensuring stability and predictability through sound policy decisions remains crucial for attracting investments and maintaining economic resilience.

The growing global debt, along with higher interest costs, necessitates careful financial strategy management by governments and corporations to ensure productive investments and sustainable economic growth.

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Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.