Key information about US External Debt

• United States External Debt reached 25,798.1 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 26,895.8 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• US External Debt: USD mn data is updated quarterly, available from Jun 2003 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 26,895.8 USD bn in Jun 2024 and a record low of 6,570.2 USD bn in Jun 2003.

The US Department of Treasury provides External Debt in USD based on BPM6. External Debt prior to Q3 2014 is based on BPM5.


Related information about US External Debt

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 310.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 96.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 96.8 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 637.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

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.

Key information about United States External Debt: % of GDP

• United States External Debt accounted for 93.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2023, compared with the ratio of 94.4 % in the previous year.
• US External Debt: % of Nominal GDP data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2003 to Dec 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 100.0 % in Dec 2020 and a record low of 60.6 % in Dec 2003.

CEIC calculates External Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly External Debt and annual Nominal GDP. The U.S. Department of the Treasury provides External Debt in USD based on BPM6. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Nominal GDP in USD. External Debt prior to 2014 is based on BPM5.


Related information about United States External Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 266.8 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 93.6 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 56.2 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 258.7 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• The country's External Debt reached 26,467,035.0 in Mar 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Key information about United States External Debt: Short Term

• United States External Debt: Short Term value stood at 8,657.9 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 8,495.7 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• US External Debt: Short Term data is updated quarterly, available from Jun 2003 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 8,657.9 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 2,718.8 USD bn in Jun 2003.

CEIC calculates quarterly Short Term External Debt as the sum of quarterly Short Term External Debt breakdowns for General Government, Central Bank, Deposit Taking Corporations and Other Sectors. The U.S. Department of the Treasury provides Short Term External Debt in USD based on BPM6. Short Term External Debt prior to Q3 2014 is based on BPM5.


Related information about United States External Debt: Short Term

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 310.9 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 96.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 96.8 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 637.6 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt Held by Foreign and International Investors as Percent of Gross Domestic Product (HBFIGDQ188S) from Q1 1970 to Q1 2025 about foreign, debt, federal, GDP, and USA.

Key information about United States External Debt: Short Term: % of GDP

• United States External Debt: Short Term accounted for 29.6 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2023, compared with the ratio of 30.9 % in the previous year.
• US External Debt: Short Term: % of Nominal GDP data is updated yearly, available from 2003 to 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 39.4 % in 2007 and a record low of 25.0 % in 2003.

CEIC calculates Short Term External Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Short Term External Debt and annual Nominal GDP. Short Term External Debt is calculated as the sum of Short Term External Debt breakdowns for General Government, Central Bank, Deposit Taking Corporations and Other Sectors. The U.S. Department of the Treasury provides Short Term External Debt in USD based on BPM6. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Nominal GDP in USD. Short Term External Debt prior to 2014 is based on BPM5.


Related information about United States External Debt: Short Term: % of GDP

• In the latest reports of US, Current Account recorded a deficit of 266.8 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 93.6 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• US Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 56.2 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment increased by 258.7 USD bn in Jun 2024.
• US External Debt: Short Term value stood at 8,342.4 USD bn in Dec 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 6,632.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.

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.

Historical chart and dataset showing U.S. external debt by year from N/A to N/A.

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.

Gross External Debt: DTC: Long Term: Currency & Deposits data was reported at 273.224 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 248.535 USD bn for Dec 2017. Gross External Debt: DTC: Long Term: Currency & Deposits data is updated quarterly, averaging 176.817 USD bn from Sep 2014 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 273.224 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 127.035 USD bn in Dec 2014. Gross External Debt: DTC: Long Term: Currency & Deposits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.JB017: Gross External Debt.

External Debt in Turkey decreased to 515500 USD Million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 525800 USD Million in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Turkey External Debt - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

By 2034, the gross federal debt of the United States is projected to be about 54.39 trillion U.S. dollars. This would be an increase of around 21 trillion U.S. dollars from 2023, when the federal debt was around 33 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.

This layer shows India's External Debt Outstanding (2010-24).Notes: Relates to SDR allocations from March 2004 onwards. Includes Financial Lease since 1996. Also includes India Development Bonds (IDBs), Resurgent India Bonds (RIBs), India Millennium Deposits (IMDs), Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) and net investment by 100% FII debt funds and securitized borrowings of commercial banks FCCB debt has been adjusted since end-March, 1998 after netting out conversion into equity and redemptions. Figures include accrued interest. Rupee denominated debt owed to Russia and payable through exports. The definition of concessional debt here includes 'concessional' categoreis under multilateral and bilateral debt and rupee debt under item VII. NRO Deposits are included under NRI Deposits from the quarter ended June 2005. Supplier’s Credits upto 180 days and FII investment in short-term debt instruments are included under short-term debt from the quarter ended March 2005. Vostro balances / Nostro overdrafts of commercial banks, balances of foreign central banks/international institutions with RBI and investment in T-bills/securities by foreign central banks/ international institutions have been included in external debt from the quarter ended March 2007.PR: Partially Revised. QE: Quick Estimates. IFC (W): International Finance Corporation, Washington D.C. FII: Foreign Institutional InvestorsSource: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/stat/tab7.2b.pdfThis web layer is offered by Esri India, for ArcGIS Online subscribers. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know via content@esri.in.

External Debt in Egypt decreased to 155093.40 USD Million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 155204.30 USD Million in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Egypt External Debt - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gross External Debt: DI: IL: Debt Liab of DI Enterp to Direct Inv data was reported at 1,132.311 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,169.196 USD bn for Dec 2017. Gross External Debt: DI: IL: Debt Liab of DI Enterp to Direct Inv data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,132.311 USD bn from Sep 2014 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,197.249 USD bn in Mar 2017 and a record low of 921.422 USD bn in Sep 2014. Gross External Debt: DI: IL: Debt Liab of DI Enterp to Direct Inv data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.JB017: Gross External Debt.

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).

United States Gross External Debt: Foreign Currency (FC) data was reported at 1,295.457 USD bn in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,311.740 USD bn for Mar 2018. United States Gross External Debt: Foreign Currency (FC) data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,032.027 USD bn from Jun 2003 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,311.740 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 545.018 USD bn in Sep 2003. United States Gross External Debt: Foreign Currency (FC) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Treasury. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.JB017: Gross External Debt.

Historical chart and dataset showing U.S. debt to gdp ratio by year from 1989 to 2023.

Bangladesh external debt for 2023 was 101.45 billion US dollars, a 4.56% increase from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Bangladesh external debt for 2022 was <strong>97.02 billion US dollars</strong>, a <strong>6.06% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Bangladesh external debt for 2021 was <strong>91.48 billion US dollars</strong>, a <strong>24.37% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Bangladesh external debt for 2020 was <strong>73.55 billion US dollars</strong>, a <strong>17.74% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

As of July 2024, the external debt from Kenya accumulated to just under 6.1 trillion Kenyan shillings (Ksh), approximately 45.5 billion U.S. dollars. The value was equivalent to roughly 55 percent of the country's total debt. Kenya's external debt increased by some 1.4 trillion KSh (some 10.44 billion U.S. dollars) from December 2022.