Private Debt to GDP in the United States decreased to 142 percent in 2024 from 147.50 percent in 2023. United States Private Debt to GDP - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

In September 2023, the national debt of the United States had risen up to 33.17 trillion U.S. dollars. The national debt per capita had risen to 85,552 U.S. dollars in 2021. As represented by the statistic above, the public debt of the United States has been continuously rising.

U.S. public debt Public debt, also known as national and governmental debt, is the debt owed by a nations’ central government. In the case of the U.S., national debt is owed by the federal government to Treasury security holders. Generally speaking, government debt increases with government spending, and can be decreased through taxes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government increased spending significantly to finance virus infrastructure, aid, and various forms of economic relief.

International public debt

Venezuela leads the global ranking of the 20 countries with the highest public debt in 2021. In relation to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Venezuela's public debt amounted to around 306.95 percent of GDP. Eritrea was ranked fifth, with an estimated debt of 170 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

The national debt of the United Kingdom is forecasted to grow from 87 percent in 2022 to 70 percent in 2027, in relation to the Gross Domestic Product. These figures include England, Wales, Scotland as well as Northern Ireland.

Greece had the highest national debt among EU countries as of the 4th quarter of 2020 in relation to the Gross Domestic Product. Germany ranked 13th in the EU, with its national debt amounting to 69 percent of GDP in the same time period.

Tuvalu was one of the 20 countries with the lowest national debt in 2021 in relation to the GDP, while Macao had an estimated level of national debt of zero percent, the lowest of any country. The data refer to the debts of the entire state, including the central government, the provinces, municipalities, local authorities and social insurance.

In October 2024, the public debt of the United States was around 35.46 trillion U.S. dollars, a slight decrease from the previous month. The U.S. public debt ceiling has become one of the most prominent political issues in the States in recent years, with debate over how to handle it causing political turmoil between Democrats and Republicans. The public debt The public debt of the United States has risen quickly since 2000, and in 2022 was more than five times higher than in 2000. The public debt is the total outstanding debt that is owed by the federal government. This figure comprises debt owed to the public (for example, through bonds) and intergovernmental debt (debt owed to various governmental departments), such as Social Security. Debt in Politics The debt issue has become a highly contentious topic within the U.S. government. Measures such as stimulus packages, social programs and tax cuts add to the public debt. Additionally, spending tends to peak during large global events, such as the Great Depression, the 2008 financial crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic - all of which had a detrimental impact on the U.S. economy. Although both major political parties in the U.S. tend to blame one another for increases in the country's debt, a recent analysis found that both parties have contributed almost equally to national expenditure. Debate on raising the debt ceiling, or the amount of debt the federal government is allowed to have at any one time, was a leading topic in the government shutdown in October 2013. Despite plans from both Democrats and Republicans on how to lower the national debt, it is only expected to increase over the next decade.

The United States recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 124.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - United States Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Summarizes the U.S. government's total outstanding debt at the end of each fiscal year from 1789 to the current year.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Federal Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product (GFDGDPA188S) from 1939 to 2023 about gross, debt, federal, GDP, and USA.

United States Federal Debt: Statutory Limit: Balance data was reported at 0.025 USD bn in Jan 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.025 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States Federal Debt: Statutory Limit: Balance data is updated monthly, averaging 133.177 USD bn from Jul 1974 (Median) to Jan 2018, with 487 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,910.283 USD bn in Feb 2010 and a record low of 0.000 USD bn in Apr 2013. United States Federal Debt: Statutory Limit: Balance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.F004: Federal Debt. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By Act of February 4, 2013, Public Law 113-3 as well as the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law 113-46 the Statutory Debt Limit has been suspended for the periods of Feb-13 to Apr-13 and Oct-13 to Jan-14. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, the Statutory Debt Limit has been suspended through March 15, 2017. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017, Public Law 115-56, the Statutory Debt Limit was suspended through December 8, 2017. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Bipartisan Budget Act, 2018, Public law 115-119, the Statutory Debt Limit was suspended through March 1, 2019.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt Held by the Public as Percent of Gross Domestic Product (FYGFGDQ188S) from Q1 1970 to Q1 2025 about public, debt, federal, GDP, and USA.

External Debt in the United States increased to 28097015 USD Million in the first quarter of 2025 from 27629576 USD Million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - United States Net International Investment Position - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States Household Debt: Other data was reported at 385.000 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 389.000 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States Household Debt: Other data is updated quarterly, averaging 400.000 USD bn from Mar 1999 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 77 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 486.000 USD bn in Jun 2003 and a record low of 296.000 USD bn in Jun 2013. United States Household Debt: Other data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.KA012: Household Debt.

Credit card debt in the United States has been growing at a fast pace between 2021 and 2025. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the overall amount of credit card debt reached its highest value throughout the timeline considered here. COVID-19 had a big impact on the indebtedness of Americans, as credit card debt decreased from *** billion U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2019 to *** billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2021. What portion of Americans use credit cards? A substantial portion of Americans had at least one credit card in 2025. That year, the penetration rate of credit cards in the United States was ** percent. This number increased by nearly seven percentage points since 2014. The primary factors behind the high utilization of credit cards in the United States are a prevalent culture of convenience, a wide range of reward schemes, and consumer preferences for postponed payments. Which companies dominate the credit card issuing market? In 2024, the leading credit card issuers in the U.S. by volume were JPMorgan Chase & Co. and American Express. Both firms recorded transactions worth over one trillion U.S. dollars that year. Citi and Capital One were the next banks in that ranking, with the transactions made with their credit cards amounting to over half a trillion U.S. dollars that year. Those industry giants, along with other prominent brand names in the industry such as Bank of America, Synchrony Financial, Wells Fargo, and others, dominate the credit card market. Due to their extensive customer base, appealing rewards, and competitive offerings, they have gained a significant market share, making them the preferred choice for consumers.

This table contains 29 series, with data for years 2009 - 2019 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 item: Canada) Central government debt (29 items: A. Federal debt (accumulated deficit), (B - E); B. Net debt, (C - D); C. Liabilities, gross debt; Accounts payable and accrued liabilities; ...).

United States Alabama: Debt Outstanding data was reported at 28,868,246.000 USD th in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 30,114,358.000 USD th for 2015. United States Alabama: Debt Outstanding data is updated yearly, averaging 8,061,041.000 USD th from Sep 1957 (Median) to 2016, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31,622,214.000 USD th in 2013 and a record low of 623,448.000 USD th in 1957. United States Alabama: Debt Outstanding data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F008: Debt Outstanding: State and Local Government: By State.

United States SCE: Debt Delinquency Expectation: Probability of Missing Minimum Debt Payment Over the Next 3 Months data was reported at 13.944 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.594 % for Mar 2025. United States SCE: Debt Delinquency Expectation: Probability of Missing Minimum Debt Payment Over the Next 3 Months data is updated monthly, averaging 12.114 % from Jun 2013 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.168 % in Sep 2013 and a record low of 9.201 % in Feb 2022. United States SCE: Debt Delinquency Expectation: Probability of Missing Minimum Debt Payment Over the Next 3 Months data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.H085: Survey of Consumer Expectations: Financial.

United States Federal Debt: PDS: Marketable: Fed Financing Bank data was reported at 10.339 USD bn in Oct 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 10.339 USD bn for Sep 2018. United States Federal Debt: PDS: Marketable: Fed Financing Bank data is updated monthly, averaging 13.612 USD bn from Jan 2001 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 192 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.000 USD bn in May 2016 and a record low of 5.695 USD bn in Sep 2013. United States Federal Debt: PDS: Marketable: Fed Financing Bank data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F004: Federal Debt.

Graph and download economic data for Household Debt Service Payments as a Percent of Disposable Personal Income (TDSP) from Q1 1980 to Q1 2025 about disposable, payments, debt, personal income, percent, personal, households, services, income, and USA.

United States Public Debt Transactions: Redemptions data was reported at 341.962 USD bn in 14 May 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 676.115 USD bn for 13 May 2025. United States Public Debt Transactions: Redemptions data is updated daily, averaging 375.979 USD bn from Oct 2005 (Median) to 14 May 2025, with 4915 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,335.831 USD bn in 30 Jun 2022 and a record low of 68.176 USD bn in 02 Oct 2013. United States Public Debt Transactions: Redemptions data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F: Public Debt Transactions.

United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues: Nonmarketable: Government Account data was reported at 368.107 USD bn in 15 May 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 339.233 USD bn for 14 May 2025. United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues: Nonmarketable: Government Account data is updated daily, averaging 369.667 USD bn from Oct 2005 (Median) to 15 May 2025, with 4916 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,149.148 USD bn in 30 Jun 2022 and a record low of 67.307 USD bn in 02 Oct 2013. United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues: Nonmarketable: Government Account data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F: Public Debt Transactions.

United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues data was reported at 341.245 USD bn in 14 May 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 677.058 USD bn for 13 May 2025. United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues data is updated daily, averaging 378.958 USD bn from Oct 2005 (Median) to 14 May 2025, with 4915 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,432.467 USD bn in 30 Jun 2022 and a record low of 68.167 USD bn in 02 Oct 2013. United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F: Public Debt Transactions.

United States Rhode Island: Debt Outst: LT: By Purpose: Public Debt for Private data was reported at 5,018,290.000 USD th in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,296,766.000 USD th for 2014. United States Rhode Island: Debt Outst: LT: By Purpose: Public Debt for Private data is updated yearly, averaging 4,129,191.500 USD th from Jun 1993 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,428,800.000 USD th in 2013 and a record low of 2,903,690.000 USD th in 1993. United States Rhode Island: Debt Outst: LT: By Purpose: Public Debt for Private data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.F008: Debt Outstanding: State and Local Government: By State.