(Bloomberg) -- China’s total debt as a percentage of gross domestic product fell for a fourth consecutive quarter, as the government tries to strike a balance between ensuring stable economic growth and preventing financial risks. 

The country’s overall leverage ratio, which measures the percentage of debt in households, non-financial enterprises and governments to total GDP, declined to 263.2% in the third quarter, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 

• Leverage ratio for non-financial sectors declined to 156.0% vs 157.8% in the previous quarter

Note 1: Loans to households are consumer and operating loans.

Note 2: Loans to non-financial sector include corporate bonds, entrusted loans, trust loans, undiscounted bank acceptance bills and overseas loans, but excluding loans to local government financing vehicles.

Note 3: Data are subject to revisions.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics, People’s Bank of China, Bloomberg

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