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.

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

In 2024, the gross government debt of Japan amounted to 255 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 123 percent of the United States. This was an increase for both countries over 2001 levels, Meanwhile, Germany had the lowest government debt ratio at only 64 percent.

Total outstanding debt of the U.S. government reported daily. Includes a breakout of intragovernmental holdings (federal debt held by U.S. government) and debt held by the public (federal debt held by entities outside the U.S. government).

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt: Total Public Debt (GFDEBTN) from Q1 1966 to Q1 2025 about public, debt, federal, government, and USA.

In 2024, the gross government debt of China amounted to an estimated 89 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 21 percent for Russia. For China, this was an increase over 2001 levels, when the gross government debt amounted to 25 percent of the country's GDP. Russia, on the other hand, has reduced this figure from 2001 levels, when gross government debt was 44 percent of the country's GDP.

Key information about Ireland National Government Debt

• Ireland National Government Debt reached 242.3 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 232.1 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• Ireland National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2000 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 296.6 USD bn in Dec 2013 and a record low of 32.3 USD bn in Jun 2001.

CEIC converts quarterly Government Debt into USD. Central Statistics Office provides Government Debt in EUR based on ESA 2010. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt prior to Q1 2009 is based on ESA 1995.


Related information about Ireland National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Ireland Consolidated Fiscal Balance registered a surplus equal to 5.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 42.2 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• Ireland Nominal GDP reached 132.9 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Argentina recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 88.40 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2023. This dataset provides - Argentina Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The national debt of San Marino was estimated at about 1.34 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. From 2001 to 2024, the national debt rose by approximately 1.19 billion U.S. dollars, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. Between 2024 and 2030, the national debt will rise by around 36.66 million U.S. dollars, showing an overall upward trend with periodic ups and downs.

Key information about Sweden National Government Debt

• Sweden National Government Debt reached 180.9 USD bn in Mar 2024, compared with 195.8 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• Sweden National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Mar 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 246.0 USD bn in Dec 2020 and a record low of 116.2 USD bn in Jun 2001.

CEIC converts quarterly Government Debt into USD. Eurostat provides Government Debt in EUR. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.


Related information about Sweden National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Sweden Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 0.7 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2023.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 30.2 % of its Nominal GDP in Mar 2024.
• Sweden Nominal GDP reached 145.3 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about Australia Government Debt: % of GDP

• Australia Government debt accounted for 38.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Jun 2023, compared with the ratio of 41.9 % in the previous year.
• Australia government debt to GDP ratio data is updated yearly, available from Jun 1999 to Jun 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 47.6 % in Jun 2021 and a record low of 9.6 % in Jun 2007.

CEIC calculates Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from annual Government Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Government Debt is calculated as the sum of General Government Currency & Deposits, Advances and Debt Securities. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides Government Debt in local currency based on SNA 2008 and Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt prior to 2009 is based on SNA 2008 GFMS 2001. Government Debt prior to 2000 is based on SNA 1993. Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP is in annual frequency, ending in June of each year..


Related information about Australia Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Australia National Government Debt reached 650.9 USD bn in Jun 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 440.1 USD bn in Mar 2023.

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.

Tanzania recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 48.20 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - Tanzania Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Government Debt in Bulgaria increased to 54223.40 BGN Million in May from 48175.40 BGN Million in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Bulgaria Government Debt - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Government Debt in Suriname decreased to 122352.20 SRD Million in 2024 from 125455.80 SRD Million in 2023. This dataset provides - Suriname Government Debt- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The ratio of national debt to gross domestic product (GDP) of San Marino was estimated at approximately 65.20 percent in 2024. Between 2001 and 2024, the ratio rose by around 53.64 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The ratio is expected to drop by about 10.06 percentage points between 2024 and 2030, showing a continuous downward movement throughout the period.The general government gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future. Here it is depicted in relation to the country's GDP, which refers to the total value of goods and services produced during a year.

In 2023, the gross federal debt in the United States amounted to around ****** U.S. dollars per capita. This is a moderate increase from the previous year, when the per capita national debt amounted to about ****** U.S. dollars. The total debt accrued by the U.S. annually can be accessed here. Federal debt of the United States The level of national debt held by the United States government has risen sharply in the years following the Great Recession. Federal debt is the amount of debt the federal government owes to creditors who hold assets in the form of debt securities. As with individuals and consumers, there is a common consensus among economists that holding debt is not necessarily problematic for government so long as the public debt is held at a sustainable level. Although there is no agreed upon ratio of debt to gross domestic product, the increasing debt held by the Federal Reserve has become a major part of the political discourse in the United States. Politics and the national debt In recent years, debate over the debt ceiling has been of concern to domestic politicians, the owners of federal debt, and global economy as a whole. The debt ceiling is a legislated maximum amount that national debt can reach intended to impose a degree of fiscal prudence on incumbent governments. However, as national debt has grown the debt ceiling has been reached, thus forcing legislative action by Congress. In both 2011 and 2013, new legislation was passed by Congress allowing the debt ceiling to be raised. The Budget Control Act of 2011 and the No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 successively allowed the government to avoid defaulting on national debt and therefore avert a potential economic crisis.

Key information about Australia National Government Debt

• Australia National Government Debt reached 650.9 USD bn in Jun 2023, compared with 673.5 USD bn in the previous year.
• Australia National Government Debt data is updated yearly, available from Jun 1999 to Jun 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 744.0 USD bn in Jun 2021 and a record low of 65.2 USD bn in Jun 2001.

CEIC calculates annual Government Debt as the sum of Currency & Deposits, Advances and Debt Securities and converts it into USD. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides Government Debt in local currency based on SNA 2008. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt prior to 2009 is based on SNA 2008 GFMS 2001. Government Debt prior to 2000 is based on SNA 1993. Government Debt is in annual frequency, ending in June of each year.


Related information about Australia National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Australia Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 1.1 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2023.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 38.1 % of its Nominal GDP in Jun 2023.
• Australia Nominal GDP reached 440.1 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for General Government Gross Debt for United States (USAGGXWDGGDP) from 2001 to 2030 about gross, debt, government, and USA.

United States US: Central Government Debt: Total: % of GDP data was reported at 99.457 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 97.375 % for 2015. United States US: Central Government Debt: Total: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 54.468 % from Sep 1989 (Median) to 2016, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.457 % in 2016 and a record low of 15.109 % in 2001. United States US: Central Government Debt: Total: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Government Revenue, Expenditure and Finance. Debt is the entire stock of direct government fixed-term contractual obligations to others outstanding on a particular date. It includes domestic and foreign liabilities such as currency and money deposits, securities other than shares, and loans. It is the gross amount of government liabilities reduced by the amount of equity and financial derivatives held by the government. Because debt is a stock rather than a flow, it is measured as of a given date, usually the last day of the fiscal year.; ; International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, and World Bank and OECD GDP estimates.; Weighted average;