Eurostat: euro zone debt rises to 88.8% of GDP in Q2, EU to 82.9%
In short
Eurostat data published on 21 October show euro zone government debt at 88.8% of GDP at the end of the second quarter of 2026, up from 88.4% in the first quarter. EU debt rose from 82.5% to 82.9%, and Greece had the highest ratio at 140.8%.
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Eurostat published data on 21 October showing that government debt in the euro zone rose to 88.8% of gross domestic product at the end of the second quarter of 2026, from 88.4% at the end of the first quarter. The EU debt ratio also rose, from 82.5% to 82.9%. The reports say the figures show a public debt burden that keeps growing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Among EU member states, Greece had the highest debt ratio at 140.8%. Italy followed at 139.9% and France at 119.1%. Belgium's ratio was above 110% and Spain's above 100%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The data also showed deficits widening in the second quarter of 2026. The euro zone countries' deficit as a share of GDP rose from 3.2% in the first quarter to 3.3%, while the EU member states' deficit ratio rose from 3.1% to 3.5%. Jiemian and 36Kr credited the report to CCTV News. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The outlets say the figures show a public debt burden that keeps growing. The documents give no further analysis of consequences.
Key facts
- Euro zone government debt rose to 88.8% of GDP at the end of Q2 2026, from 88.4% at the end of Q1. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- EU debt ratio rose from 82.5% to 82.9%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Greece had the highest debt ratio among EU members at 140.8%, followed by Italy at 139.9% and France at 119.1%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Belgium's debt ratio was above 110% and Spain's above 100%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The euro zone deficit ratio rose from 3.2% of GDP in Q1 to 3.3% in Q2 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The EU member states' deficit ratio rose from 3.1% to 3.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Eurostat data released on 21 October put euro zone government debt at 88.8% of GDP at the end of Q2 2026, up from 88.4%, and EU debt at 82.9%, up from 82.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Greece had the highest debt ratio at 140.8%, followed by Italy (139.9%) and France (119.1%). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The deficit ratio in the euro zone rose from 3.2% to 3.3% of GDP, and in the EU from 3.1% to 3.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact debt ratios for Belgium and Spain are not given. The documents say only that Belgium's ratio was above 110% and Spain's above 100%.