Largest Holders of U.S. Debt

Largest Holders of U.S. Treasuries

Background

The amount of U.S. Government debt has almost tripled since 2003 – and has grown by almost eight trillion dollars.The amount of that debt held by foreign governments is up almost 4 times, and now almost 50% of U.S. Treasuries are held by governments outside of the United States.

BackgroundWe have seen the amount of U.S. Treasuries outstanding balloon over the last ten years:

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

12. BrazilAmount: $254 Billion

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

Growth Since 2003: 2050%

11. Oil ExportersAmount: $257 Billion

Includes: Ecuador, Venezuela, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Gabon, Libya, and NigeriaSources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

Growth Since 2003: 503%

10. Insurance CompaniesAmount: $261 Billion Growth Since 2003: 57%

Includes: property-casualty and life insurance companiesSources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

9. Caribbean Banking CentersAmount: $291 Billion

Includes: Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles, and PanamaSources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

Growth Since 2003: 515%

8. Banking InstitutionsAmount: $400 Billion Growth Since 2003: 161%

Includes: Commercial Banks, Savings Institutions, Credit Unions, Broker Dealers and Holding CompaniesSources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

7. State and Local GovernmentsAmount: $527 Billion Growth Since 2003: 45%

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

6. Pension FundsAmount: $720 Billion Growth Since 2003: 124%

Includes: Private Pension Funds, State and Local Government and Federal Government Retirement FundsSources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

5. Mutual FundsAmount: $988 Billion Growth Since 2003: 249%

Includes: Mutual Funds, Money Market Funds, Close-end Funds and Exchange-Traded FundsSources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

4. JapanAmount: $1,083 Billion Growth Since 2003: 97%

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

3. IndividualsAmount: $1,193 Billion Growth Since 2003: 192%

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

2. ChinaAmount: $1,276 Billion Growth Since 2003: 702%

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

1. Federal ReserveAmount: $1,937 Billion Growth Since 2003: 190%

Sources: Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury

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