In September 2024, the national debt of the United States had risen up to 35.46 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 August 2025, the public debt of the United States was around 37.27 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.

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).

By 2035, the gross federal debt of the United States is projected to be about 59.3 trillion U.S. dollars. This would be an increase of around 24 trillion U.S. dollars from 2024, when the federal debt was around 35 trillion U.S. dollars. The federal debt of the U.S. The federal debt, also called the national debt or public debt, is the amount of debt held by the United States government. This debt may be to other countries, or to different departments within the government itself. The public debt of the United States has increased significantly over the past 30 years, as it was around 3.2 trillion U.S. dollars in 1990 and surpassed 30 trillion dollars for the first time in 2022. When broken down per capita, the national debt amounted to about 80,885 U.S. dollars of debt per person in the United States in 2021. The problem of the federal debt Over the past decade, the federal debt limit in the United States has increased significantly. The U.S. debt ceiling can only be changed by an act of Congress which is then signed by the president. The raising of the ceiling has become a recurring political issue in recent years, especially during times when the Presidency and chambers of Congress are controlled by different parties. The debt ceiling is a tool that allows the Treasury to issue bonds without congressional approval, allowing for efficiency in the way that the government pays for programs and services. It is thought to be further valuable in that it keeps federal finances in check. However, when the two parties are unable to come to an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, the government comes to a shutdown because they can no longer fund themselves. The Republican Party in particular often positions itself against raising the federal debt ceiling, characterizing themselves as the party of fiscal conservativism. However, analyses have shown that both parties have contributed to the country's debt in almost equal measures.

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.

High-level information on the federal government's outstanding debts, holdings, and the statutory debt limit. Data is reported monthly.

Projection of General government gross debt for United States was 128.15400 % of GDP in January of 2030, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Projection of General government gross debt for United States reached a record high of 132.62800 in January of 2021 and a record low of 105.77300 in January of 2018. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Projection of General government gross debt for United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

A table that summarizes the amounts outstanding for the securities issued by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service adjusted for Unamortized Discount on Treasury Bills and Zero Coupon Treasury Bonds, Other Debt (old debt issued before 1917 and old currency called United States Notes), Debt held by the Federal Financing Bank and Guaranteed Debt of Government Agencies that makes up the Total Public Debt Subject to Limit amount.

Key information about Tunisia National Government Debt

• Tunisia National Government Debt reached 42.4 USD bn in Dec 2024, compared with 41.3 USD bn in the previous month.
• Tunisia National Government Debt data is updated monthly, available from Apr 2011 to Dec 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 42.6 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 18.4 USD bn in May 2012.

CEIC converts monthly Government Debt into USD. The Ministry of Finance provides Government Debt in local currency. The Central Bank of Tunisia period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt covers Central Government only. Government Debt prior to January 2021 is based on old methodology.


Related information about Tunisia National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Tunisia Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 7.6 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2023.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 79.8 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024.
• Tunisia Nominal GDP reached 11.7 USD bn in Dec 2022.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Public Debt Outstanding. from United States. Source: Department of the Treasury. Track economic data wit…

As of December 2024, Japan held United States treasury securities totaling about 1.06 trillion U.S. dollars. Foreign holders of United States treasury debt According to the Federal Reserve and U.S. Department of the Treasury, foreign countries held a total of 8.5 trillion U.S. dollars in U.S. treasury securities as of December 2024. Of the total held by foreign countries, Japan and Mainland China held the greatest portions, with China holding 759 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. securities. The U.S. public debt In 2023, the United States had a total public national debt of 33.2 trillion U.S. dollars, an amount that has been rising steadily, particularly since 2008. In 2023, the total interest expense on debt held by the public of the United States reached 678 billion U.S. dollars, while 197 billion U.S. dollars in interest expense were intra governmental debt holdings. Total outlays of the U.S. government were 6.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. By 2029, spending is projected to reach 8.3 trillion U.S. dollars.

A table that shows the historical breakdown of the Debt Held by the Public, Intragovernmental Holdings and the Total Public Debt Outstanding.

United States Public Debt Transactions: Redemptions: Nonmarketable: Domestic data was reported at 0.000 USD mn in 15 May 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 USD mn for 14 May 2025. United States Public Debt Transactions: Redemptions: Nonmarketable: Domestic data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 USD mn from Oct 2005 (Median) to 15 May 2025, with 4916 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.200 USD bn in 04 Jan 2021 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 15 May 2025. United States Public Debt Transactions: Redemptions: Nonmarketable: Domestic 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.

A table that summarizes the amounts outstanding for all the securities issued by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service that makes up the Total Public Debt Outstanding amount.

Key information about Belarus National Government Debt

• Belarus National Government Debt reached 23.4 USD bn in May 2022, compared with 23.0 USD bn in the previous month.
• Belarus National Government Debt data is updated monthly, available from Dec 2003 to May 2022.
• The data reached an all-time high of 23.4 USD bn in May 2022 and a record low of 1.2 USD bn in Nov 2004.

CEIC converts monthly Government Debt into USD. The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus provides Government Debt in local currency. The National Bank of the Republic of Belarus period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Government Debt prior to December 2014 is calculated from BYR. Since 2016, the national currency became BYN (1 BYN = 10 000 BYR). Government Debt covers Central Government only.


Related information about Belarus National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, Belarus Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 0.4 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2021.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 35.9 % of its Nominal GDP in Mar 2022.
• Belarus Nominal GDP reached 17.0 USD bn in Mar 2023.

A table that shows in detail by CUSIP, interest rate, the issue date, maturity date, interest payment dates and amounts outstanding for unmatured Bills, Notes, Bonds, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities and Floating Rate Notes as of the last business day of the month.

A table that shows details on marketable and non-marketable Treasury securities that are outstanding as of the last business day of the month.