Germany's Public Debt Surpasses 2.8 Trillion Euros

Germany's public debt has exceeded 2.8 trillion euros, according to data from an interactive tool based on estimates derived from official statistics. The debt is increasing at a rate of approximately 6,326 euros per second, which amounts to more than 6,000 euros every second. The Federal Statistical Office reported in September 2026 that the rise in public debt is driven by substantial spending on infrastructure and defense projects. The total public debt stood at 2.819 trillion euros. The tool not only displays financial figures but also highlights ongoing deterioration in Germany's real economy and labor market. Since the beginning of the year, 21,296 companies have declared bankruptcy, with one company closing every 20 minutes on average. Among the recently bankrupt companies are a historic paper mill with a 150-year legacy and a major automotive parts supplier for Mercedes-Benz, putting about 300 employees at risk of layoffs. Additionally, official unemployment registrations have surpassed 5.9 million, with a new unemployed person registering every four seconds. On September 11, 2026, the German parliament discussed the federal budget for 2027, which includes a significant increase in defense spending from 82.2 billion euros in 2026 to 109.7 billion euros in 2027. This spending is expected to be largely financed through new borrowing amounting to a record 118.7 billion euros in 2027, while servicing the existing public debt will cost 41.9 billion euros that year.