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US Treasury Department data detailed Saudi Arabia’s increased stake in American government debt for November 2025. The kingdom lifted its holdings by $14.4 billion from the prior month to reach $148.8 billion. This expansion allowed Saudi Arabia to overtake South Korea and claim the 17th spot among global investors while remaining the only Middle Eastern country in the top 20. The figures form part of a broader rise in foreign demand for the assets viewed as among the world’s safest.
Total foreign holdings of US Treasuries climbed to an unprecedented $9.36 trillion during the month according to the department’s international capital statistics. Japan the largest holder saw its position edge higher to $1.202 trillion. The United Kingdom expanded its portfolio by about $11 billion to $888.5 billion. Canada reversed some earlier volatility with a gain exceeding $50 billion that brought its total to $472.2 billion.
China the second-largest investor reduced its holdings by $6.1 billion to $682.6 billion the Treasury Department reported. India’s position among major holders slipped as well with a $4 billion decline that left it at $186.5 billion. These adjustments reflected varied approaches to reserve management amid fluctuating global interest rates and economic signals.
The Saudi increase aligns with the kingdom’s established financial partnership with the United States that includes the riyal’s peg to the dollar. The Public Investment Fund has separately built up $7.6 billion in fresh US equity investments as part of diversification efforts. Treasury securities continue to offer Riyadh a liquid and secure repository for surplus oil revenues according to longstanding investment patterns for commodity exporters.
US Treasury statistics show Saudi Arabia’s holdings rose 17.25 percent from January through November of 2025. The monthly jump of $14.4 billion marked the largest such gain for the kingdom since foreign ownership records began in 1974 according to analysis of the department’s data. Holdings continued to fluctuate in following months reaching $160.4 billion by February 2026 before easing to $140.1 billion in April.
Congressional Research Service figures placed overall foreign ownership at roughly $9.2 trillion by December 2025 equivalent to 31 percent of total US publicly held debt. Interest payments to overseas holders reached $282.4 billion for the year the service reported. Demand for US Treasuries has grown even as American debt levels expanded reflecting their enduring role as a global benchmark safe asset.
