Reliable and internationally comparable statistical information on the debt of the public sector of the national economy is an important factor in substantiating the proposed medium-term debt policy, implementing fiscal rules, monitoring their compliance, taking into account the conditions and “corridors” of flexibility in accordance with the real state of the economy and public finances, system diagnostics and debt sustainability; assessing the impact of debt policy on macroeconomic balance. The demand for objective information on public debt exists both from the legislative and executive authorities, institutions of the public financial management system, and international organizations, participants in financial markets, the broad scientific community, universities and scientific institutions, analytical, research and consulting centers, and other users public finance statistics. Professional public debt management requires reliable and comprehensive debt statistics. Reliable debt statistics that meet international standards helps decision-makers take into account potential fiscal risks, identify areas of fiscal responsibility and vulnerabilities, and apply measures to prevent, counteract and minimize these risks. Тhe definition of an international statistical standard is proposed as a normative statistical document that refers to a set of international statistical concepts, methodologies, methods, classifications, manuals, user manuals, recommendations for compilers, principles, “best practices”, etc., developed by collaborating with international organizations national statistical institutes. The classification of international standards used to measure public debt was carried out according to five groups. The concepts of public debt are disclosed in the context of international statistical standards. The main differences in the definition of public debt and its measurement in accordance with international standards and the practice of EU countries in comparison with national practice are established. A draft law of Ukraine “On the amendments and additions to the first part of Article 2 of the Budget Code of Ukraine (regarding the public debt”) has been developed.