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.

Government Debt in the United States decreased to 36211469 USD Million in June from 36215818 USD Million in May of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Government Debt- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

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

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.

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 United States Government Debt: % of GDP

• United States Government debt accounted for 124.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 123.1 % in the previous quarter.
• US government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1969 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 130.4 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 31.8 % in Sep 1974.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service provides Government Debt in USD. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Nominal GDP in USD. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about United States Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, US National Government Debt reached 36,220.2 USD bn in Jan 2025.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 6,632.4 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.

Japan recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 236.70 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Government Debt to GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The national debt of China was approximately 16.65 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the national debt has risen by around 16.46 trillion U.S. dollars since 1995. Between 2024 and 2030, the national debt will rise by around 13 trillion U.S. dollars, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.

Ghana recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 70.50 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Ghana Government Debt to GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

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; ...).

Nicaragua NI: Gross Public Debt: General Government: Debt Securities data was reported at 75,086.564 NIO mn in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 74,194.299 NIO mn for Mar 2018. Nicaragua NI: Gross Public Debt: General Government: Debt Securities data is updated quarterly, averaging 57,981.875 NIO mn from Mar 2010 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 75,122.021 NIO mn in Jun 2017 and a record low of 53,488.978 NIO mn in Mar 2010. Nicaragua NI: Gross Public Debt: General Government: Debt Securities data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nicaragua – Table NI.World Bank.QPSD: Gross Public Debt: General Government.

Vietnam Sub-National Government Debt: % of GDP data was reported at 0.900 % in 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.100 % for 2017. Vietnam Sub-National Government Debt: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 1.500 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2018, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.800 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.900 % in 2018. Vietnam Sub-National Government Debt: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Finance. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.F007: Public Debt and National External Debt: % of GDP.

The national debt of Russia stood at about ************** U.S. dollars in 2024. Between 1997 and 2024, the national debt rose by approximately ************** U.S. dollars, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The national debt will steadily rise by around ************** U.S. dollars over the period from 2024 to 2030, reflecting a clear upward trend.

United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Debt Securities and Loans data was reported at 19,397.023 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 18,796.497 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Debt Securities and Loans data is updated quarterly, averaging 7,864.568 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 93 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,397.023 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 4,759.033 USD bn in Mar 1995. United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Debt Securities and Loans data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: QPSD: Gross Public Debt: General Government.

Graph and download economic data for Federal government current expenditures: Interest payments (A091RC1Q027SBEA) from Q1 1947 to Q1 2025 about payments, expenditures, federal, government, interest, GDP, and USA.

The 84th Legislature passed HB 1378 to increase the transparency of local government debt. Under Local Government Code §140.008, political subdivisions, including counties, cities, school districts, junior college districts, certain special purpose districts, and other subdivisions of state government must annually compile their debt obligation data from the preceding fiscal year and either: 1. report it to the Comptroller of Public Accounts for posting or, alternatively, 2. post the information on their own websites. The information presented on the Comptroller's website and retrievable using this search tool is self-reported by submitting entities or third parties on their behalf and has not been independently verified by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The inclusion of an entity's information here confirms that the Comptroller received the submitted information but does not verify the entity's compliance with the terms of Local Government Code § 140.008. Specific questions or concerns regarding an entity's debt obligations should be directed to that entity. Submission deadline is 180 days from the last day of the entity’s fiscal year.

Government Debt to GDP in Taiwan decreased to 28.20 percent in 2019 from 29.30 percent in 2018. This dataset provides - Taiwan Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Italy recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 135.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - Italy Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.