And We Thought We Were in Trouble Because of Our National Debt?

Grandpa only had one question, "Is this what democracy promises us as a People of any nation in regards to our governments?"

The debts of the top 20 Nations of the 1st World governments. We may be rich nations but it leaves me to wonder how the term rich is defined.

20. United States
External debt (as % of GDP): 95.9%

Gross external debt: $13.67 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $14.25 trillion
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19. Australia
External debt (as % of GDP): 108.8%

Gross external debt: $891.26 billion (2009 Q2)
2009 GDP (est): $819 billion
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18. Hungary
External debt (as % of GDP): 124.2%

Gross external debt: $231.33 billion (2009 Q2)
2009 GDP (est): $186.3 billion
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17. Italy
External debt (as % of GDP): 154.6%

Gross external debt: $2.71 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $1.76 trillion
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16. Greece
External debt (as % of GDP): 175.3%

Gross external debt: $594.60 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $339.2 billion
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15. Spain
External debt (as % of GDP): 184.7%

Gross external debt: $2.53 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $1.37 trillion
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14. Germany
External debt (as % of GDP): 189.4%

Gross external debt: $5.33 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $2.81 trillion
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13. Finland
External debt (as % of GDP): 205.7%

Gross external debt: $376.8 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $183.1 billion
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12. Norway
External debt (as % of GDP): 208.9%

Gross external debt: $577.80 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $276.5 billion
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11. Hong Kong
External debt (as % of GDP): 218.8%

Gross external debt: $659.27 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $301.3 billion
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10. Portugal
External debt (as % of GDP): 231.5%

Gross external debt: $538.1 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $232.4 billion
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9. France
External debt (as % of GDP): 247.2%

Gross external debt: $5.22 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $2.11 trillion
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8. Austria
External debt (as % of GDP): 268.9%

Gross external debt: $869.13 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $323.2 billion
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7. Sweden
External debt (as % of GDP): 275%

Gross external debt: $916.42 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $333.2 billion
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6. Denmark
External debt (as % of GDP): 315.2%

Gross external debt: $627.6 billion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $199.1 billion
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5. Belgium
External debt (as % of GDP): 345.6%

Gross external debt: $1.32 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $381.4 billion
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4. Switzerland
External debt (as % of GDP): 390%

Gross external debt: $1.23 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $316.1 billion
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3. Netherlands
External debt (as % of GDP): 395.6%

Gross external debt: $2.58 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $652 billion
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2. United Kingdom
External debt (as % of GDP): 427.6%

Gross external debt: $9.26 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $2.17 trillion
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1. Ireland
External debt (as % of GDP): 1,352%

Gross external debt: $2.39 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $177.3 billion

Update:
Based upon the research of our good friend, BB-Idaho, a correction must be made for this post. The term "external debt" is not the correct terminology to use for this list of debts. The correct terminology is "Public Debt". The above figures reflect the total amount of moneys owed by the governments of each nation. the term "external debt" has an entirely different meaning.