Episode 127 – Pushing on the Accelerator - The Rise of Global Debt in 2025
Description
In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Sonja Gibbs, IIF’s Managing Director of Global Policy Initiatives and Head of Sustainable Finance, to discuss the latest developments in global debt as the year comes to a close.
Clay and Sonja examine what the rise of global debt, now standing at a total of nearly $346 trillion, means for financial markets and private sector firms and explore the factors driving this increase - particularly the concentration of debt in the government sector, with China and the United States leading the way. The conversation also looks at corporate debt, which is approaching $100 trillion, and considers the implications of record-high issuance by high-yield borrowers.
Finally, the episode looks ahead to 2026, discussing which trends are likely to continue and what new dynamics could shape debt markets in the coming year.
This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.
United States
