Global debt hits record $247 trillion

Global debt rose to a record US$247 trillion in the year to the end of March, piling pressure on emerging markets. World debt has surged almost $150 trillion over the past 15 years.

According to an analysis by the Institute of International Finance (IIF), debt levels for household, non-financial corporate and general government sectors rose to $186.5 trillion in the first quarter of 2018.