OBR projections foresee debt at 300% of GDP by the 2070s

Debt-to-GDP ratio since 1900 and long-term debt projections

Projected baseline

Debt-to-GDP ratio

Baseline with postwar shocks

Baseline with 21st century shocks

500%

WW1

WW2

Financial

crisis

Pandemic

400

300

200

100

0

1900-01

1950-51

2000-01

2050-51

Debt-to-GDP ratio

Projected baseline

Baseline with postwar shocks

Baseline with 21st century shocks

500%

WW1

WW2

Financial crisis

Pandemic

400

300

200

100

0

1900-01

1950-51

2000-01

2050-51

Guardian graphic. Source: ONS, OBR. Note: underlying debt, excludes Bank of England