There is no single “best” indicator for analysing general government debt. This paper examines the various issues in … defining and measuring debt, and explores other data which could be useful, both within and beyond the general government debt … concept, to better track and analyse fiscal risks and sustainability issues. Measures from the broadest view of debt – gross …

With gross government debt of 226% of GDP, Japan’s fiscal situation is in uncharted territory and puts the economy at …

, in particular the high level of public debt and low potential growth. The government has rightly aimed to halt the rise … in the public debt-to-GDP ratio and put it on a downward path. This could be achieved with either a balanced government …, it would be rewarded by faster debt reduction and lower risk of renewed financial-market reactions. In any case, the …

With gross government debt surpassing 200% of GDP, Japan’s fiscal situation is in uncharted territory. In addition to … target a primary budget surplus large enough to stabilise the public debt ratio by 2020. The fiscal policy framework should …

In many OECD countries debt has soared to levels threatening fiscal sustainability, necessitating its reduction over …, reflecting key characteristics of fiscally stressed OECD countries. Given the assumed objective to stabilise debt at a 60% of GDP … output gaps. The simulations highlight four issues. First, lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio within a finite horizon requires …

Europe is putting in place a new system of fiscal rules following the euro area sovereign debt crisis and decades of … rising government to debt-to-GDP ratios. These include the so-called “six pack” to upgrade the Stability and Growth Pact to a … high debt levels in the past. A further tightening of budgetary Medium-Term Objectives is likely in 2012, which will in …