Public debt rises to 103.5% of GDP, setting a new record.

BarcelonaPublic debt rose to 103.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of this year, a new record, 1.7 percentage points higher than at the end of 2024. The absolute figure stood at €1.667 trillion, according to data from the Bank of Spain. In an annual comparison, the debt ratio is 2.8 percentage points lower than the same period last year (106.3%).

The central government recorded the highest level of debt, with €1.533 trillion, equivalent to 95.1% of GDP, 1.5 percentage points higher than at the end of last year. The debt of the autonomous communities is also at an all-time high, at €338.151 billion, 21% of GDP and 0.1 percentage points lower than the previous quarter. Local governments, for their part, reduced their liabilities to €22.844 billion, a slight reduction that allowed the ratio to remain at 1.4% of GDP. Social Security debt, €126.174 billion, reduced its share of GDP to 7.8%.

Catalonia led the way with a total of €89.7 billion. Most autonomous communities reduced their debt ratios. Next in line were the Valencian Community (€60.368 billion), Andalusia (€40.49 billion), and Madrid (€39.651 billion). All, with the exception of La Rioja, Navarra, and Madrid, reduced their debt burden compared to the previous quarter, while Catalonia and the Valencian Community, Extremadura, La Rioja, and Madrid reached record levels.