Global debt now worse than before financial crisis, says IMF

Fund warns all economies look vulnerable as low interest rates lead to debt worth 225% of GDP

The global economy is more deeply indebted than before the financial crisis and countries need to take immediate action to improve their finances before the next downturn, the International Monetary Fund has said.

The IMF said a prolonged period of low interest rates had stimulated a build-up of debt worth 225% of world GDP in 2016, 12 points above the previous record level reached in 2009.