die  Staatsverschuldung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtaːtsfɛɐ̯ˈʃʊldʊŋ/

💰 What Exactly is 'die Staatsverschuldung'?

The term Staatsverschuldung refers to the total amount of debt held by a state (federal government, states, municipalities, and social security funds) owed to third parties (domestic and foreign creditors). It arises when a state's expenditures exceed its revenues over a longer period (budget deficit), and this difference is financed by borrowing money (taking out loans).

It's a central topic in economics (Volkswirtschaftslehre) and political discussion (politische Diskussion), as high national debt (hohe Staatsverschuldung) can have far-reaching consequences for economic stability (wirtschaftliche Stabilität), future generations (zukünftige Generationen), and the state's scope of action (Handlungsspielraum).

The noun is feminine, so the correct article is die Staatsverschuldung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Declension

The noun 'Staatsverschuldung' is feminine. It is primarily used in the singular. The plural 'Staatsverschuldungen' is grammatically correct but very uncommon, as one usually refers to the total debt of one state or the debt of several states.

(Plural declension is rarely used and not listed here)

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Staatsverschuldung Deutschlands ist in den letzten Jahren gesunken.
   (Germany's national debt has decreased in recent years.)
2. Eine hohe Staatsverschuldung kann die Kreditwürdigkeit eines Landes beeinträchtigen.
   (High national debt can affect a country's creditworthiness.)
3. Politiker diskutieren Maßnahmen zur Reduzierung der Staatsverschuldung.
   (Politicians are discussing measures to reduce the national debt.)

🗣️ How 'Staatsverschuldung' is Used

The term Staatsverschuldung is an integral part of the vocabulary in the fields of economics (Wirtschaft), politics (Politik), and news reporting (Nachrichtenwesen).

• Context: Often discussed in relation to budget debates (Haushaltsdebatten), economic forecasts (Wirtschaftsprognosen), interest rates (Zinsen), inflation, and intergenerational equity (Generationengerechtigkeit).
• Typical Phrases:
  • die Staatsverschuldung abbauen/reduzieren/senken (to reduce/lower the national debt)
  • die Staatsverschuldung steigt/wächst (the national debt is rising/growing)
  • die Höhe der Staatsverschuldung (the level of national debt)
  • die Staatsverschuldungsquote (the debt-to-GDP ratio)
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish between Staatsverschuldung (total outstanding debt) and Neuverschuldung (annual deficit added to the total debt). The Schuldenbremse (debt brake) is a mechanism to limit new borrowing.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'the debt' or 'the situation'. Both imply a singular, often large concept, fitting the feminine 'die'. Remember die Schuld (the debt/guilt) is feminine, so die Staatsverschuldung is too.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the Staat (State) is 'over-shoul-dered' (sounds like 'verschuldet') with debt. Staat + Verschuldung = Staatsverschuldung (State Debt).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar Sounding/Confusing Words:

• Privatverschuldung: (Private debt) Debt of private individuals or companies, not the state.
• Auslandsverschuldung: (Foreign debt) Can be part of Staatsverschuldung (debt owed to foreign creditors) but can also include private foreign debt.

😂 A Little Joke

A citizen asks the finance minister: "Ist unsere Staatsverschuldung eigentlich noch zu bewältigen?"
The minister replies: "Keine Sorge, wir haben sie auf so viele Schultern verteilt, dass jeder Einzelne nur ein paar Millionen tragen muss!" 😉

Translation:
Citizen: "Is our national debt actually still manageable?"
Minister: "Don't worry, we've distributed it onto so many shoulders that each individual only has to carry a few million!" 😉

📜 Poem about National Debt

Des Staates Schulden, schwer und groß,
Ein riesiger Betrag, famos.
Man borgt und leiht, Jahr ein, Jahr aus,
Bringt's künft'ge Generationen in Saus und Braus?
Nein, eher nicht, die Zinsen nagen,
Man muss den Gürtel enger tragen.
Die Staatsverschuldung, eine Last,
Die mancher Bürger heimlich hasst.

Translation:
The state's debts, heavy and large,
A huge amount, by and large.
They borrow and lend, year after year,
Does it bring future generations cheer?
No, rather not, the interest gnaws,
One must tighten belts, obey the laws.
The national debt, a heavy load,
That many citizens secretly goad.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich wachse, wenn der Staat mehr ausgibt, als er hat.
Ich werde in Milliarden gemessen, in jeder Stadt.
Politiker streiten, wie man mich senkt,
Damit die Zukunft nicht finanziell ertränkt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I grow when the state spends more than it has.
I am measured in billions, in every city's pass.
Politicians argue how to lower me,
So the future isn't financially drowned at sea.

What am I?
(Answer: die Staatsverschuldung / national debt)

🌐 Further Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Staatsverschuldung' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Staat: Refers to the political entity (state, country, nation).
• -s-: A linking 's' (Fugen-s).
• Verschuldung: Noun form of the verb 'verschulden' (to incur debt).

Interesting Facts:

• The Staatsverschuldungsquote (debt-to-GDP ratio) is a key indicator for assessing a country's ability to sustain its debt.
• The criteria of the EU's Maastricht Treaty stipulate an upper limit for national debt of 60% of GDP.