
Gross debt in the United Kingdom
General government debt of the United Kingdom refers to the debts of the state, their states and municipalities, and also of public sector institutions such as social security funds.The government debt in the period from 2000 to 2021 was between 576.7 billion and 3.25 trillion USD. The highest level of the last years at 3.2 trillion US Dollar was reached in 2021.
Based on the number of inhabitants, this is a debt of 48,272 USD per person. For comparison, the average debt per person in the same year in the European Union was 35,341 USD.
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Gross debt of the last 21 years in billion USD
Year | United Kingdom total | % of GDP | per capita | EU per capita |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 627.67 bn USD | 37.76% | 10,658 USD | 10,328 USD |
2001 | 576.74 bn USD | 35.08% | 9,756 USD | 10,404 USD |
2002 | 632.77 bn USD | 35.47% | 10,658 USD | 11,368 USD |
2003 | 755.28 bn USD | 36.72% | 12,662 USD | 14,148 USD |
2004 | 963.81 bn USD | 39.80% | 16,067 USD | 16,162 USD |
2005 | 1,042.71 bn USD | 40.97% | 17,263 USD | 16,918 USD |
2006 | 1,139.13 bn USD | 41.92% | 18,721 USD | 17,549 USD |
2007 | 1,334.29 bn USD | 42.96% | 21,759 USD | 19,574 USD |
2008 | 1,488.94 bn USD | 50.66% | 24,090 USD | 22,721 USD |
2009 | 1,566.30 bn USD | 64.57% | 25,151 USD | 23,701 USD |
2010 | 1,885.49 bn USD | 75.69% | 30,040 USD | 25,145 USD |
2011 | 2,169.01 bn USD | 81.09% | 34,288 USD | 28,417 USD |
2012 | 2,287.02 bn USD | 84.11% | 35,903 USD | 27,784 USD |
2013 | 2,375.93 bn USD | 84.75% | 37,050 USD | 30,021 USD |
2014 | 2,669.19 bn USD | 86.46% | 41,317 USD | 30,832 USD |
2015 | 2,553.76 bn USD | 87.01% | 39,219 USD | 26,170 USD |
2016 | 2,341.60 bn USD | 86.74% | 35,689 USD | 26,655 USD |
2017 | 2,310.86 bn USD | 86.12% | 34,982 USD | 27,535 USD |
2018 | 2,459.92 bn USD | 85.47% | 37,013 USD | 29,172 USD |
2019 | 2,424.10 bn USD | 84.85% | 36,269 USD | 27,927 USD |
2020 | 2,801.87 bn USD | 103.60% | 41,769 USD | 32,227 USD |
2021 | 3,249.96 bn USD | 103.79% | 48,272 USD | 35,341 USD |
Comparison of gross debt per capita with the European Union in U.S. dollars
Budget deficit in the United Kingdom

The budget balance in the United Kingdom in the period between 2001 and 2019 varied between -243.43 billion euros and +6.26 billion euros. In 2019, the United Kingdom reached a balance of -65 billion euros.
For comparison, the average debt per capita in the European Union in the same year was 191 euros.
Budget deficit and surplus in the last 18 years
Year | United Kingdom total | % of GDP | per capita | EU per capita |
---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 6.26 bn USD | 0.38% | 106 USD | -299 USD |
2002 | -34.24 bn USD | -1.92% | -577 USD | -565 USD |
2003 | -64.86 bn USD | -3.15% | -1,087 USD | -840 USD |
2004 | -82.47 bn USD | -3.41% | -1,375 USD | -920 USD |
2005 | -79.57 bn USD | -3.13% | -1,317 USD | -822 USD |
2006 | -74.43 bn USD | -2.74% | -1,223 USD | -568 USD |
2007 | -81.40 bn USD | -2.62% | -1,327 USD | -360 USD |
2008 | -150.46 bn USD | -5.12% | -2,434 USD | -1,085 USD |
2009 | -243.43 bn USD | -10.04% | -3,909 USD | -2,021 USD |
2010 | -229.10 bn USD | -9.20% | -3,650 USD | -1,970 USD |
2011 | -199.11 bn USD | -7.44% | -3,148 USD | -1,463 USD |
2012 | -220.56 bn USD | -8.11% | -3,462 USD | -1,220 USD |
2013 | -153.20 bn USD | -5.47% | -2,389 USD | -1,027 USD |
2014 | -169.84 bn USD | -5.50% | -2,629 USD | -851 USD |
2015 | -133.37 bn USD | -4.54% | -2,048 USD | -574 USD |
2016 | -88.35 bn USD | -3.27% | -1,347 USD | -421 USD |
2017 | -64.57 bn USD | -2.41% | -977 USD | -263 USD |
2018 | -64.32 bn USD | -2.23% | -968 USD | -134 USD |
2019 | -65.32 bn USD | -2.29% | -977 USD | -191 USD |
(negative numbers = deficit)