GLOBAL DEBT REPORT 2026 · COMMUNICATION PROTOTYPE

$29 trillion.
One year.

Governments and companies are projected to borrow a record amount from bond markets in 2026. What does that mean for economies — and for you?

Explore in 3 minutes Read the OECD report ↗

29USD trillion

+17% vs 2024

2× a decade ago

$29tnprojected 2026 borrowing

78%of OECD government borrowing for refinancing

$1.2tnAI-related corporate bond issuance expected, 2026–30

01 · THE STORY

Debt markets are carrying more weight.

Borrowing is rising while higher long-term rates increase refinancing pressure. This prototype turns the report’s main signals into a fast editorial journey.

Record issuance

Governments and companies are set to borrow USD 29 trillion from bond markets in 2026.

$29tn

Refinancing dominates

For OECD governments, much of new borrowing is not new spending: it replaces maturing debt.

Refinancing78%

AI investment enters debt markets

Nine major AI players are expected to issue roughly USD 1.2 trillion in corporate bonds to finance capital expenditure needs in 2026–2030.

02 · ONE REPORT, THREE AUDIENCES

Same evidence.
Different entry point.

FOR POLICYMAKERS

The central issue is resilience.

High refinancing needs mean debt-management choices, maturity structures and investor demand matter more as borrowing costs reset.

Monitor refinancing concentration and maturity profiles.
Protect deep, diverse and resilient investor bases.
Link debt-market structure to long-term fiscal capacity.

78%

of OECD government borrowing in 2026 is expected to refinance existing debt.

03 · WHY IT MATTERS

From market mechanics
to everyday consequences.

Communication can make financial policy legible without oversimplifying it. The editorial layer below connects an institutional finding to a concrete question.

Governments

More refinancing at higher rates can raise interest costs and constrain future policy choices.

Companies

Debt markets remain critical for funding investment — including capital-intensive AI infrastructure.

Investors

Large issuance volumes increase the importance of market depth, diversification and demand.

Citizens

Borrowing costs ultimately influence the room governments and businesses have to invest and respond to shocks.

05 · EVENT → DIGITAL HUB

Global Debt Report 2026
Launch conversation

A compact event landing-page concept connecting research, speakers, livestream, key figures and social assets in one place.

FORMATHybrid launch

CONTENTResearch + Q&A

AUDIENCEPolicy · markets · media

SOURCE DISCIPLINE

Designed around evidence, not invented claims.

OECDGlobal Debt Report 2026 ↗ OECDDirectorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs ↗

$29 trillion.One year.