The EU's general government debt to GDP ratio was 77.8% at the end of the last quarter of 2019, according to Eurostat data released Thursday.
The figure was down from 79.3% at the end of the second quarter of last year and 79.6% in the same quarter of 2018.
The ratio was 84.1% in the eurozone in the fourth quarter of the last year, down from 85.8% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Greece remained with the highest general government debt to GDP ratio in the bloc with 176.6%, a debt of €331.1 billion ($370.8 billion).
It was followed by Italy with 134.8%, Portugal with 117.7%, Belgium with 98.6% and France with 98.1%.
The lowest ratios were those of Estonia 8.4%, Bulgaria 20.4% and Luxembourg 22.1%.
On a quarterly basis, three member countries posted an increase in their debt to GDP ratio in the fourth quarter of 2019, while 24 posted a decrease.
On Thursday, Eurostat also announced the seasonally adjusted general government deficit to GDP ratio which stood at 0.7% both in the eurozone and EU27.
The eurozone/euro area or EA19 represents member states that use the single currency -- euro -- while the EU27 includes all member countries of the bloc.
By Gokhan Ergocun
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr