Debt as a share of GDP
stable94.2% of GDP
Net debt measured against the size of the economy.
Source: ONS, Public sector finances. 30 April 2026.
Public finance health
Debt is only part of the picture. Here is a wider set of indicators, each showing its recent direction of travel.
Public finances
Borrowing as a share of GDP
rising4.2% of GDP
Annual public sector net borrowing relative to the economy.
Source: OBR / ONS. 31 March 2026.
Debt interest
rising3.6% of GDP
The cost of servicing debt, relative to the economy. About £111 billion a year.
Source: OBR. 31 March 2026.
Tax burden
rising36.3% of GDP
Total taxes as a share of the economy. Forecast to keep rising to the highest level since records began in 1948.
Source: OBR. 31 March 2026.
Government revenue
rising£1,238 billion per year
Total money the government receives, mostly from taxes.
Source: ONS / OBR. 31 March 2026.
Government spending
rising£1,368 billion per year
Total money the government spends on services, benefits, investment, and debt interest.
Source: HM Treasury / OBR. 31 March 2026.
The wider economy
Inflation (CPI)
falling2.8% per year
The rate at which consumer prices are rising over the year. Eased in April as household energy bills fell.
Source: ONS, Consumer price inflation, UK: April 2026. 30 April 2026.
Unemployment rate
rising5% of workforce
The share of people who want to work and are looking for a job but cannot find one. Up from 4.5% a year earlier.
Source: ONS, Labour market overview. 31 March 2026.
GDP growth
stable1.1% per year
How fast the economy is growing, after adjusting for inflation. The 2026 forecast, down from 1.4% in 2025.
Source: OBR / ONS, GDP. 31 March 2026.
Productivity (output per hour)
stable0.4% growth per year
How much is produced per hour worked, versus a year earlier. Weak productivity growth has been a long-running UK challenge.
Source: ONS, Productivity. 31 March 2026.
Show all indicators as a table
| Indicator | Latest | Trend | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt as a share of GDP | 94.2 % of GDP | stable | provisional |
| Borrowing as a share of GDP | 4.2 % of GDP | rising | estimated |
| Debt interest | 3.6 % of GDP | rising | official |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2.8 % per year | falling | official |
| Unemployment rate | 5 % of workforce | rising | provisional |
| GDP growth | 1.1 % per year | stable | estimated |
| Productivity (output per hour) | 0.4 % growth per year | stable | provisional |
| Tax burden | 36.3 % of GDP | rising | estimated |
| Government revenue | 1,238 £ billion per year | rising | estimated |
| Government spending | 1,368 £ billion per year | rising | estimated |