What is the UK debt to GDP ratio?

The ONS publishes public sector net debt as a percentage of GDP each month (series HF6X for the measure excluding the Bank of England). The Office for Budget Responsibility publishes a long-run series back to the 1700s in its public finances databank.

For comparisons with other countries, the IMF and OECD use general government gross debt, which is a different definition and usually gives a higher number for the UK. Don't compare the ONS net figure with another country's gross figure.

Official sources: Net debt as % of GDP (HF6X) · OBR data

The latest figure

The newest value is at Office for National Statistics (ONS). More on it: UK public sector net debt.

When is the next figure out?

Monthly, usually around the third week of the month, 7am; next release 21 October 2026

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Terms used in this answer

• Nominal GDP
  Gross domestic product measured at current prices, without adjusting for inflation. Used for debt-to-GDP and spending-to-GDP ratios.
• Public sector net debt (PSND)
  The public sector's financial liabilities, mainly government bonds, minus its liquid assets such as cash. The headline measure of the national debt.
• Public sector net financial liabilities (PSNFL)
  A wider measure of public sector debt that subtracts all financial assets, such as student loans and equity holdings, not just cash and reserves.
• Public sector net borrowing (PSNB)
  The gap between what the public sector spends and what it receives in a period. Often called the deficit; it adds to debt.
• Fiscal rules
  Targets the government sets for itself on borrowing and debt, written into the Charter for Budget Responsibility and assessed by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
• Gilts
  Bonds issued by the UK government to borrow money. They pay a fixed interest (coupon) and repay the face value at maturity; index-linked gilts rise with RPI.

Where the figures come from

• UK tax rates, allowances and taxpayer statistics (GOV.UK, HMRC, OBR, Revenue Scotland and Welsh Revenue Authority)
  Where to check official UK income tax bands, National Insurance, VAT, stamp duty, inheritance tax and taxpayer numbers, and how to test tax claims.
• Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)
  Where to find OBR forecasts, policy costings, the public finances databank and 300 years of fiscal data, and how to test tax and spending pledges.

Related questions

• What is the UK national debt?
• How does UK debt compare with other countries?
• How much tax revenue does the UK collect?

This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about public finances, tax and the obr: all Public finances, tax and the OBR questions.