Some critics partly blame the crisis on Americans' low savings rate and high personal debt.

VOA: special.2009.04.10

The high risk has investors demanding higher interest rates, and not only on Greek debt.

VOA: special.2010.05.07

"The U.K.government has got to make some pretty savage cuts because its public debt is so high."

VOA: standard.2010.05.13

In two weeks, the European Union will consider whether high-debt countries will be forced to take austerity measures like introducing wage cuts, employment freezes and longer working weeks.

VOA: standard.2010.03.01