The ratio between government debt and GDP in the euro area declined to 98.3% in the second quarter of this year, compared with 100% at the end of the previous quarter, the bloc's statistical agency announced on Friday.
The ratio also fell in the EU27, from 92.4% to 90.9% at the end of the July-September period.
These declines stemmed from a rebound in GDP, while debt continued to rise due to the financing needs of policies to help curb the economic and social fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compared to same quarter of last year, the ratio rose in both the euro area (from 94.4% to 98.3%) and the EU (from 87.2% to 90.9%).