What are significant debts owed to various stakeholders referred to as?

Significant debts owed to various stakeholders are referred to as liabilities. Liabilities represent obligations that a company has incurred, which it is required to settle in the future, typically through the transfer of economic benefits such as cash. This includes loans, accounts payable, and any other debts that arise from past transactions or events.

In accounting, liabilities are crucial for understanding a company's financial health, as they indicate the extent of its obligations relative to its assets and equity. This perspective is essential for stakeholders, as it helps them assess the risks associated with a company’s financial structure.

The other choices represent different financial concepts: assets are resources owned by the company, equity represents the owners' residual interest in the company after liabilities are deducted from assets, and income refers to revenues generated from operations. Thus, liabilities are specifically defined as the debts owed to external parties, making this the correct answer to the question.