Skuldkvoten

Skuldkvoten is a term used in Swedish economics to describe indebtedness as a ratio, most commonly debt relative to GDP for the public sector and debt relative to disposable income for households. The exact meaning depends on the context, but in general it serves as a compact indicator of leverage and potential financial vulnerabilities.

For governments, skuldkvoten typically refers to the general government net debt as a share of GDP. It is used in fiscal policy to assess sustainability of public finances and to compare debt levels across time and countries. A higher debt ratio implies greater service costs and potential risk if growth or interest rates shift. The ratio is influenced by nominal GDP, debt stock, and the valuation of financial assets.

For households, the term can denote the household debt-to-income ratio, often called hushållens skuldkvot, which measures total household debt in relation to disposable income. This statistic is closely watched by regulators and researchers because high household indebtedness can amplify economic downturns and affect consumer spending and financial stability.

Calculation can take different forms: debt divided by GDP for public debt, or debt divided by disposable income for households. Both are affected by business cycles, inflation, and financial conditions, and they do not capture debt maturity, interest-rate risk, or contingent liabilities.

Policy relevance varies by jurisdiction. In the European Union, general government debt is often discussed in relation to the 60% of GDP Maastricht threshold, while Swedish macroprudential work focuses on household leverage as a risk factor. See also debt-to-GDP ratio and household debt.