Batt O'Keeffe
Question:65 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance, in terms of GDP and GNP, the way in which our national debt compares with other EU countries. [6144/95]
Written Answers. - National Debt.
The following tabular statement sets out the comparative information sought by the Deputy, in so far as it is available;
Ratios of General Government Debt/GDP¹
|
Country |
1993 |
1994 (estimate) |
|
% |
% |
|
|
Belgium |
141.8 |
140.8 |
|
Denmark |
79.5 |
78.4 |
|
Germany |
48.9 |
52.4 |
|
Greece |
115.2 |
118.1 |
|
Spain |
59.8 |
63.4 |
|
France |
45.8 |
n/a |
|
Ireland |
96.9 |
90.0 |
|
Italy |
118.6 |
124.6 |
|
Luxembourg |
7.8 |
9.5 |
|
Netherlands |
81.4 |
79.4 |
|
Portugal |
67.0 |
69.8 |
|
U.K. |
48.4 |
49.7 |
¹The general Government debt/GDP ratio is the debt measurement specified in the Maastricht treaty and is the only series for which comparative data is available. As the data in the table above, with the exception of Ireland, is taken from the 1 September, 1994 returns made to the EU Commission by member states under Council Regulation 3605/93 (Excessive Deficits), the figures for 1994 are forecast estimates. The ratios for Ireland are those included in the most recent return — 1 March 1995.