A high debt-to-GDP ratio means a country’s government debt is large compared to its economic output. It often signals excessive borrowing to cover spending beyond revenue, possibly for public services or economic stimulus. This can raise concerns about sustainability if GDP growth lags. Risks include higher borrowing costs or loss of investor confidence, especially if repayment seems doubtful. However, high debt isn’t always bad—investments in growth like infrastructure might justify it, and stable economies (e.g., Japan, over 200%) can handle more. Context matters: thresholds like 90% or 120% worry economists depending on resilience. It’s a growth tool until it’s a burden.