# Government Debt

*Macro & Economy — Finicade finance glossary*

The total a government owes from years of borrowing — usually judged against the size of its economy (debt-to-GDP). Sustainable if growth and rates cooperate; a crisis if markets lose faith.

**Also known as:** national debt, debt-dynamics, fiscal-space-and-debt-crises

**Related terms:** [Budget Deficit](https://finicade.com/glossary/budget-deficit), [Fiscal Policy](https://finicade.com/glossary/fiscal-policy), [Treasury Bond](https://finicade.com/glossary/treasury-bond)

**Taught in:** Macro & Markets — Fiscal Policy & the Government Debt

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/government-debt