Government debt at record level

Government debt in the eurozone has risen to its highest levels since the currency was launched, running at 88.2% of GDP at the end of the first quarter.

In the EU 27 it was up to 83.4%.

The highest was recorded in Greece at 132.4%, followed by Italy, Portugal and then Ireland at 108.5%. The lowest was Estonia at 6.6% followed by Bulgaria at 16.75% and Luxembourg at 20.9%. Compared to the fourth quarter last year, 21 countries registered an increase.