Major foreign holders treasury securities U.S. 2024 | Statista (2024)

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Major foreign holders treasury securities U.S. 2024 | Statista? ›

U.S. treasury securities major foreign holders 2024

All values are adjusted to 2023 dollars. As of January 2023, the five countries owning the most US debt are Japan ($1.1 trillion), China ($859 billion), the United Kingdom ($668 billion), Belgium ($331 billion), and Luxembourg ($318 billion).

Foreign ownership of U.S. debt, which includes both governments and private investors, is much higher now than it was about 50 years ago. In 1970, total foreign holdings accounted for $14.0 billion, or just 5 percent, of DHBP. As of December 2022, such holdings made up $7.3 trillion, or 30 percent, of DHBP.

It is also possible to buy U.S. Treasury bills through a government securities broker or dealer, who can help facilitate the purchase on your behalf. You may need to provide documentation such as a passport or other identification to open an account and buy U.S. Treasury bills.

Of the total held by foreign countries, Japan and Mainland China held the greatest portions, with China holding 797.7 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. securities. Other foreign holders included oil exporting countries and Caribbean banking centers.

Of the $33T of debt, roughly 78% is owned by the public (70% US vs 30% International). The major US public owners include the FED ($6T, but they are no longer buyers), mutual funds, banks, states, pension funds and insurance companies.

According to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, the main investing countries in the U.S. are Japan (USD 721 billion), Canada (USD 607.2 billion), Germany (USD 498.6 billion), and the United Kingdom (USD 439 billion), with Europe as a whole accounting for USD 2.8 trillion.

The largest holder of U.S. debt is the U.S government. Which agencies own the most Treasury notes, bills, and bonds? Social Security, by a long shot. The U.S. Treasury publishes this information in its monthly Treasury statement.

Who are the foreign buyers of US Treasury bonds? ›

The three largest holders of Treasuries -- Japan, China and the UK -- led the purchase U.S. government debt.

Therefore, the expatriate may purchase millions of dollars worth of CDs, bonds, etc. to generate some stable income. When the interest income is interest income, U.S.-sourced, and qualifies as portfolio income — it is not taxable to the nonresident alien owner of the bond.

Experts reckon yen purchases by the Bank of Japan at the behest of the Ministry of Finance are funded by dollar deposits held by the BOJ, which are later replenished by the sale of very short-dated U.S. Treasurys or even bills.

U.S. Treasury Bonds

In fact, Japan is by far the largest foreign owner of U.S. treasury securities, with Japanese banks, pension funds, insurance companies etc. holding a total of $1.138 trillion at the end of 2023.

There are several reasons why China buys U.S. Treasuries. These instruments are among the world's safest assets, making them secure and stable and the U.S. dollar remains the world's reserve currency in international trade This allows the Chinese central bank to effectively hold dollar-denominated assets.

China has offloaded USD 22.7 billion in US treasury bills recently over concerns over security and a further delay to expected interest rate cuts by the American Federal Reserve, amidst its intensified strategic rivalry with Washington.

The largest holder of U.S. debt is the U.S government. Which agencies own the most Treasury notes, bills, and bonds? Social Security, by a long shot. The U.S. Treasury publishes this information in its monthly Treasury statement.