Upvote:15
The definition of government debt is a bit problematic. What, exactly, constitutes a debt being "of the government" when we are looking at time frames much longer than most governments?
I would put up the 1648 Hoogheemraadschap Lekdijk Bovendams bond as a candidate. Not issued by a national body, but by a governing body (of that part of the Rhine), and continuously paying interest ever since.