Government bonds are debt securities issued by a government to raise funds for various public projects and services. When investors buy these bonds, they are essentially lending money to the government in exchange for periodic interest payments and the return of the bond's face value at maturity. These bonds are considered low-risk investments because they are backed by the government's creditworthiness. Investors often view them as a safe way to preserve capital while earning a steady income, making them popular among conservative investors and those looking for stability in their portfolios.