20. Bermuda
Total Debt Held: $77.4 Billion
As of January, Bermuda owes a total of $77.4 billion to the United States. Hence, the country ranks as one of those that owe the US money. The government of Bermuda is trying to move towards an overall budget surplus and a reduction in the national debt.

19. Germany
Total Debt Held: $91.3 Billion

Germany is another country in Europe that owes money to the US. The United States has been a major creditor to the country in the past as well. As of January, the amount owed by Germany to the US is $91.3 billion.

18. Norway
Total Debt Held: $104.4 Billion

Norway is another major US debt holder from Europe. As of January, Norway owes $104.4 billion to the United States. Thus, Norway ranks as one of the countries that owe the US money.

17. Korea
Total Debt Held: $105.8 Billion

The 20 countries that owe the US money include Korea as well. As of January, the country owes a total of $105.8 billion to the United States. Korea’s external debt has also been increasing in recent years.

16. Saudi Arabia
Total Debt Held: $111 Billion

Saudi Arabia owed $111 billion to the United States thereby qualifying as one of the top 20 countries that owe the US money. However, the country sold over $3 billion of US government debt in June since it is investing more in riskier assets.

15. France
Total Debt Held: $183.9 Billion

France is another nation that borrows money from the US. As of January, France owes $183.9 billion to the US. This makes it another top nation that owes the US money. The French history of taking debt is old and can be traced back to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era.

14. Singapore
Total Debt Held: $187.6 Billion

The total amount owed by Singapore to the US is $187.6 billion. This ranks the country among those who owe money to the United States. The sovereign debt per capita is also high in Singapore.

13. Brazil
Total Debt Held: $214 Billion

Following the United States, Brazil is one of the largest economies in the Western Hemisphere. As of January, Brazil owes a total of $214 billion to the United States thereby making it to the top 20 countries that owe the US money.

12. Hong Kong
Total Debt Held: $226.8 Billion

Hong Kong ranks as another top nation that has borrowed money from the US. As of January, the nation owed $226.8 billion to the US. Hong Kong has pegged its currency to the US dollar which is supported by this debt.

11. India
Total Debt Held: $232 Billion

India owes $232 billion to the United States, as of January. This makes the country qualify as one of the top 20 countries that owe the US money. The US treasury securities are deemed as a safe investment for the country.

10. Taiwan
Total Debt Held: $234.6 Billion

Taiwan has a large trade surplus with the US. It is also a major US debt holder since it owes $234.6 billion to the country, as of January. This ranks Taiwan as one of the top 20 countries that owe the US money.

9. Ireland
Total Debt Held: $253.4 Billion

Ireland is another European country that owes money to the US. As of January, the country owes $253.4 billion to the US. Ireland is also a known destination for investment by US companies due to its favorable business environment.

8. Canada
Total Debt Held: $254.1 Billion

Based on shared geography and economic ties, Canada is one of the closest allies to the US. The country owes $254.1 billion to the United States, as of January. This makes it another major US debt holder.

7. Cayman Islands
Total Debt Held: $285.3 Billion

The Cayman Islands is a relatively smaller country that owes $285.3 billion to the United States, as of January. This ranks the country among other nations that owe the US money. Furthermore, there are numerous domiciled investment firms in the Cayman Islands that invest in US debt.

6. Switzerland
Total Debt Held: $290.5 Billion

With a debt of $290.5 billion, Switzerland ranks as one of the top countries that owe the US money. Investors in Switzerland have also increased their holdings of US debt. The country’s other main creditors include countries such as Germany and France.

5. Luxembourg
Total Debt Held: $318.2 Billion

Luxembourg ranks as one of the top 20 countries that owe the US money. As of January, the country owes a total of $318.2 billion to the US. This is equivalent to 4.29% of the total foreign holdings of the United States.

4. Belgium
Total Debt Held: $331.1 Billion


As of January, Belgium owes $331.1 billion to the US which makes it one of the top 20 countries that owe the US money. This is partially due to the financial activity of Euroclear, a major financial house in Belgium, which holds assets on behalf of more than 2,000 clients.


3. The United Kingdom
Total Debt Held: $668.3 Billion

The United Kingdom serves as the largest foreign holder of US debt in Europe. The country owes $668.3 billion to the United States, as of January, thereby becoming another top country that owes the US money. The history of this debt is old since the UK had financed its efforts with US money during World War I.

2. China
Total Debt Held: $859.4 Billion


China ranks as the second largest foreign holder of US debt. As of January, the country owed $859.4 billion to the US. The country served as the largest foreign creditor to the United States for more than a decade until 2019. Hence, China is one of the top 20 countries that owe money to the US.

1. Japan
Total Debt Held: $1.1 Trillion

As of January, Japan owes the most money to the US by surpassing China. The total amount owed by Japan to the US grew from $534 billion to over $1 trillion between 2000 and 2022. With $1.1 trillion in US Treasury holdings, the country ranks at the top among other countries that owe the US money.

God1000:
Hmm, so china is owing US this much and not the other way round.

Well, this will finally address the debate and misconception

God1000:
Hmm, so china is owing US this much and not the other way round.

Well, this will finally address the debate and misconception