Wonder how indebted your country really is? The debt-to-GDP ratio compares a nation's external debt to its total output for a year and is a good way to judge the overall state of a country's economy, and its ability to pay its dues.

A ratio of over 100% means a country isn't producing enough to cover what it owes, while a rising ratio can signal that a recession is on its way. A consistently high ratio is usually accompanied by poor economic growth.

With this in mind, read on to discover the debt-to-GDP ratios of 24 of the world's largest economies, from the lowest to the highest, and see where the UK ranks.

All dollar values in US dollars.

Is the UK drowning in debt compared to other rich countries?