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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual: Held by the Public: Other data was reported at 12,200.032 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,704.168 USD bn for 2016. United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual: Held by the Public: Other data is updated yearly, averaging 508.179 USD bn from Sep 1940 (Median) to 2017, with 78 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,200.032 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 40.314 USD bn in 1940. United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual: Held by the Public: Other data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of Management and Budget. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F005: Federal Debt: Office of Management & Budget.

In 2023, the U.S. government spent a total of 875 billion U.S. dollars on interest of public debt. 497 billion U.S. dollars was on interest for debt held by the public.

The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual data was reported at 20,205.705 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 19,539.450 USD bn for 2016. United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual data is updated yearly, averaging 803.034 USD bn from Sep 1940 (Median) to 2017, with 78 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20,205.705 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 50.696 USD bn in 1940. United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of Management and Budget. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F005: Federal Debt: Office of Management & Budget.

Interactive chart of historical data comparing the level of gross domestic product (GDP) with Federal Debt.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Government; Debt Securities; Liability (DISCONTINUED) (FGDSL) from Q4 1945 to Q4 2017 about liabilities, debt, securities, federal, government, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Surplus or Deficit - from 1901 to 2024 about budget, federal, and USA.

In 2023, the U.S. government had a budget deficit of 1.69 trillion U.S. dollars. This is compared to 2000, when the government had a budget surplus of 0.24 trillion U.S. dollars.

U.S. Government budget

The government budget is a financial statement that demonstrates the government’s suggested revenues and spending for the financial year. Budget surpluses occur when income exceeds expenditures. Budget deficits occur when spending exceeds income. The budget balance of the U.S. government has fluctuated since 2016, and is expected to decrease slightly by 2026.

Military spending

Defense outlays in the United States amounted to 714 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. It is expected to continue to increase over the next several years. The United States currently has the largest defense budget in the world, and is the largest employer in the world. The military budget funds the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. The amount of funding that goes towards the Department of Defense is heavily criticized by Democrats in the United States, because they believe that the funding should be more evenly distributed towards other social welfare programs such as public health insurance and education.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Surplus or Deficit [-] as Percent of Gross Domestic Product (FYFSGDA188S) from 1929 to 2024 about budget, federal, GDP, and USA.

United States Federal Debt: Statutory Limit: Balance data was reported at 0.025 USD bn in Jan 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.025 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States Federal Debt: Statutory Limit: Balance data is updated monthly, averaging 133.177 USD bn from Jul 1974 (Median) to Jan 2018, with 487 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,910.283 USD bn in Feb 2010 and a record low of 0.000 USD bn in Apr 2013. United States Federal Debt: Statutory Limit: Balance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.F004: Federal Debt. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By Act of February 4, 2013, Public Law 113-3 as well as the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law 113-46 the Statutory Debt Limit has been suspended for the periods of Feb-13 to Apr-13 and Oct-13 to Jan-14. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, the Statutory Debt Limit has been suspended through March 15, 2017. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017, Public Law 115-56, the Statutory Debt Limit was suspended through December 8, 2017. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3101(b). By the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Bipartisan Budget Act, 2018, Public law 115-119, the Statutory Debt Limit was suspended through March 1, 2019.

France recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 113 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - France 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; ...).

The United States recorded a government budget surplus of 27000 USD Million in June of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Government Budget Value - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual: Held by the Public: Fed Reserve System data was reported at 2,465.418 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,463.456 USD bn for 2016. United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual: Held by the Public: Fed Reserve System data is updated yearly, averaging 115.537 USD bn from Sep 1940 (Median) to 2017, with 78 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,465.418 USD bn in 2017 and a record low of 2.180 USD bn in 1941. United States Gross Federal Debt: Annual: Held by the Public: Fed Reserve System data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of Management and Budget. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F005: Federal Debt: Office of Management & Budget.