10 Countries Facing Huge External Debt

The United States of America

The United States has a capitalist mixed economy fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity.  According to the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. GDP of $15.1 trillion constitutes 22 percent of the gross world product at market exchange rates and over 19 percent of the gross world product at purchasing power parity (PPP). Though larger than any other nations, its national GDP was about 5 percent smaller at PPP in 2011 than the European Union's, whose population is around 62 percent higher. The country ranks ninth in the world in nominal GDP per capita and sixth in GDP per capita at PPP. The U.S. dollar is the world's primary reserve currency.

External debt: $15.81 trillion

Per capita debt: $50,266

Percent of GDP: 103