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.

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.

Government Debt in the United States increased to 37637553 USD Million in September from 37274266 USD Million in August of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Government Debt- 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.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt: Total Public Debt (GFDEBTN) from Q1 1966 to Q2 2025 about public, debt, federal, government, and USA.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Federal Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product (GFDGDPA188S) from 1939 to 2023 about debt, gross, federal, GDP, and USA.

Between 2000 and 2024, the total outstanding of both public and private debt in the United States across all sectors increased significantly, growing from 28.64 trillion U.S. dollars to 102.21 trillion U.S. dollars. These figures include all outstanding loans and debt securities from companies, households, and governments.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Debt Held by Foreign and International Investors (FDHBFIN) from Q1 1970 to Q2 2025 about foreign, debt, federal, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Federal government current expenditures: Interest payments (A091RC1Q027SBEA) from Q1 1947 to Q2 2025 about payments, expenditures, federal, government, interest, GDP, and USA.

In the fiscal year of 2024, Florida's state debt stood at about ***** billion U.S. dollars. Comparatively, the state's debt was approximately ***** billion U.S. dollars in 2000. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

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.

In the fiscal year of 2024, Texas's state debt stood at about ***** billion U.S. dollars. Comparatively, the state's debt was approximately ***** billion U.S. dollars in 2000. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

In the fiscal year of 2024, California's state debt stood at about ****** billion U.S. dollars. Comparatively, the state's debt was ***** billion U.S. dollars in 2000. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

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.

In the fiscal year of 2024, New York's state debt stood at about 180.21 billion U.S. dollars. Comparatively, the state's debt was approximately 78.62 billion U.S. dollars in 2000. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

The national debt of Romania stood at about ************** U.S. dollars in 2024. Between 2000 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.

The national debt of Turkey was estimated at about ************** U.S. dollars in 2024. Between 2000 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.

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 European Union National Government Debt

• European Union National Government Debt reached 16,136.9 USD bn in Sep 2024, compared with 15,321.8 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• EU National Government Debt data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2000 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 16,136.9 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 4,554.4 USD bn in Jun 2001.

CEIC converts quarterly Government Debt into USD. Eurostat provides Government Debt in EUR based on ESA 2010. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. European Union stands for EU27 excluding UK.


Related information about European Union National Government Debt

• In the latest reports, EU Consolidated Fiscal Balance recorded a deficit equal to 3.5 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2023.
• The country's Government debt accounted for 81.6 % of its Nominal GDP in Sep 2024.
• EU Nominal GDP reached 4,430.4 USD bn in Mar 2023.