Italian debt rises to 135.1% of GDP in Q1 (2)

(ANSA) - Brussels, July 22 - Italian government debt as a percentage of the economy rose to 135.1% in the first quarter compared with a level of 132.1% in the final quarter of 2014, Eurostat said Wednesday. That was the second-largest increase among EU states after Belgium, it added. The heaviest debt load in the region was in Greece, at 168.8% of GDP in the first quarter, said Eurostat, adding it has introduced new processes that are changing its data. Across the euro area, the average ratio of debt to GDP rose to 92% from 92% in Q4 of 2014.