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.

Government Debt in the United States increased to 36215818 USD Million in May from 36213557 USD Million in April of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Government Debt- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

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 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.

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.

Key information about United States Total Debt: % of GDP

• United States Total Debt accounted for 722.0 % of the country's GDP in 2024, compared with the ratio of 722.0 % in the previous quarter.
• US Total Debt: % of GDP data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1951 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 834.9 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 309.4 % in Jun 1953.

CEIC calculates quarterly Total Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Total Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Total Debt is calculated as sum of Liabilities for NonFinancial Business, Federal Government, State and Local Government, Households & Nonprofit Organizations and Financial Business less Mutual Fund Shares. Federal Reserve Board provides Total Debt in local currency. Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Nominal GDP in local currency.

Government Debt in Germany increased to 2509020 EUR Million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 2488548 EUR Million in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Germany Government Debt- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The statistic shows the national debt of the United States from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. The amount of the debt of the United States amounted to around 35.25 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. National debt of the United States National debt in the United States is a topic of much debate and controversy, primarily due to large amounts of unnecessary spending. Despite the fact that the United States had the highest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world in 2016, along with being one of the most developed powerhouses in the world, the country suffers in many economical aspects. When analyzing the country’s imports and exports, the United States has recorded a trade deficit for more than a decade as of 2015, meaning that its imports exceeded its exports every year. However, despite being significantly affected by the world economic crisis in 2008, the country’s trade balance noticeably improved in 2009, almost halving the country’s total trade deficit. An economical aspect that did not improve during the world economic crisis was the country’s unemployment rate. The number of unemployed in the United States increased greatly in 2009 and continued to rise in 2010, however finally stabilized in the following years and has since declined yearly. When considering the total population of the United States, which amounted to roughly 322 million in 2015, a large percentage of citizens, who are capable of work, have been left without a job for roughly 7 years.

China recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 88.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - China 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.

Key information about Japan Government Debt: % of GDP

• Japan Government debt accounted for 216.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 217.2 % in the previous quarter.
• Japan government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1994 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 225.8 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 55.9 % in Dec 1994.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. The Bank of Japan provides Government Debt in local currency. The Economic and Social Research Institute provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about Japan Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Japan National Government Debt reached 9,396.6 USD bn in Apr 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 1,080.1 USD bn in Mar 2023.

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).

Key information about Denmark National Government Debt

• Denmark National Government Debt reached 144.5 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 137.5 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• Denmark National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2000 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 178.2 USD bn in Jun 2011 and a record low of 80.8 USD bn in Jun 2001.

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


Related information about Denmark National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Denmark Consolidated Fiscal Balance registered a surplus equal to 3.5 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 33.6 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• Denmark Nominal GDP reached 102.0 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about Finland Government Debt: % of GDP

• Finland Government debt accounted for 82.1 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with the ratio of 82.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Finland government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2000 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 82.1 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 30.7 % in Sep 2008.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Debt and rolling sum of quarterly Nominal GDP. Statistics Finland provides Government Debt in EUR and Nominal GDP in EUR.


Related information about Finland Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Finland National Government Debt reached 234.7 USD bn in Dec 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 74.8 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about Italy National Government Debt

• Italy National Government Debt reached 3,069.8 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with 3,168.7 USD bn in the previous month.
• Italy National Government Debt data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1957 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 3,300.5 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 10.0 USD bn in Feb 1957.

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


Related information about Italy National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Italy Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 5.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 138.3 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• Italy Nominal GDP reached 538.7 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about Mexico Government Debt: % of GDP

• Mexico Government debt accounted for 47.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 48.1 % in the previous quarter.
• Mexico government debt to GDP ratio data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 2005 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 56.2 % in Mar 2021 and a record low of 20.3 % in Dec 2008.

CEIC calculates quarterly Government Debt as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Government Debt and rolling average of quarterly annualized Nominal GDP. Government Debt is calculated as a sum of Domestic Government Debt and External Government Debt. The Secretary of Finance and Public Credit provides Government Debt in USD and local currency. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography provides annualized Nominal GDP in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for Government Debt and average market exchange rate is used for Nominal GDP currency conversions. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about Mexico Government Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, Mexico National Government Debt reached 901.9 USD bn in Aug 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP reached 397.5 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about New Zealand National Government Debt

• New Zealand National Government Debt reached 111.4 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with 118.8 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• New Zealand National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 2006 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 118.8 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 21.4 USD bn in Sep 2008.

CEIC converts quarterly Government Debt into USD. The Treasury provides Government Debt in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt covers Sovereign Guaranteed Debt only.


Related information about New Zealand National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, New Zealand Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 1.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 44.3 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• New Zealand Nominal GDP reached 62.0 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about Peru National Government Debt

• Peru National Government Debt reached 94.3 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with 93.1 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• Peru National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1999 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 94.3 USD bn in Dec 2024 and a record low of 22.7 USD bn in Mar 1999.

CEIC converts quarterly Government Debt into USD. The Central Reserve Bank of Peru provides Government Debt in local currency. The Central Reserve Bank of Peru period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt covers Central Government Only.


Related information about Peru National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Peru Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 3.6 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 32.7 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024.
• Peru Nominal GDP reached 60.3 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about United States National Government Debt

• United States National Government Debt reached 36,218.9 USD bn in Feb 2025, compared with 36,220.2 USD bn in the previous month.
• US National Government Debt data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1969 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 36,220.2 USD bn in Jan 2025 and a record low of 353.7 USD bn in Jun 1969.

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service provides monthly Government Debt in USD. Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about United States National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, US Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 7.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 124.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024.
• US Nominal GDP reached 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.