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.

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

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.

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).

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.

United States US: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities data was reported at 98.883 % in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 96.936 % for Dec 2017. United States US: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities data is updated quarterly, averaging 62.630 % from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 93 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.883 % in Mar 2018 and a record low of 46.674 % in Jun 2001. United States US: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: QPSD: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government.

In 2024, the U.S. government spent a total of 1.13 trillion U.S. dollars on interest of public debt. Of that, 217 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 US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Debt Securities, Loans, Currency and Deposits data was reported at 19,422.345 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 18,821.819 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Debt Securities, Loans, Currency and Deposits data is updated quarterly, averaging 7,892.633 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 93 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,422.345 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 4,776.865 USD bn in Mar 1995. United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Debt Securities, Loans, Currency and Deposits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: QPSD: Gross Public Debt: General Government.

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.

In the fiscal year of 2022, total state and local government debt in the state of New York amounted to 20.07 percent of the annual Gross Domestic Product of the state. In Kentucky, this figure amounted to 22.78 percent of the state's annual GDP, the highest of any state. The national debt of the United Stated can be found here.

United States - Federal Government; Debt Securities; Liability (DISCONTINUED) was 16455261.00000 Mil. of $ in October of 2017, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Federal Government; Debt Securities; Liability (DISCONTINUED) reached a record high of 16455261.00000 in October of 2017 and a record low of 220012.00000 in October of 1948. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Federal Government; Debt Securities; Liability (DISCONTINUED) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

In 2024, the national debt of India amounted to around 3.16 trillion U.S. dollars. Projections show an upward trend, with a significant increase each year. Honor thy national debtNational debt, also called government debt or public debt, is money owed by the federal government. It can be divided into internal debt, (which is owed to lenders in the country) and external debt (which is owed to foreign lenders). National debt is created and increased by using government bonds, for example, or by borrowing money from other nations due to financial struggles (well-known case in point: Greece). A quite complex issue, national debt is expected to be paid back in accordance with certain regulations overseen by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), a financial organization owned by central banks. India’s debt is rising, but so is its economic growthIndia’s liabilities have increased significantly, and forecasts show no end in sight. While India is a fast-growing economy and considered one of the main emerging economies, the so-called BRIC countries, India has been investing and borrowing money from commercial banks as well as several non-banking finance companies, and its national debt today makes up almost 70 percent of its GDP. Luckily, even though the national debt is forecast to increase, this share of GDP is predicted to decrease, as is the trade deficit in the long run, despite a significant jump back into the red in 2017.

United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Long Term: Over 1 Year: Other Accounts Payable data was reported at 1,291.814 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,272.761 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Long Term: Over 1 Year: Other Accounts Payable data is updated quarterly, averaging 729.235 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 93 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,291.814 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 315.038 USD bn in Mar 1995. United States US: Gross Public Debt: USD: General Government: Long Term: Over 1 Year: Other Accounts Payable data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: QPSD: Gross Public Debt: General Government.

United States - Federal Government; Debt Securities; Asset (DISCONTINUED) was 493.00000 Mil. of $ in October of 2017, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Federal Government; Debt Securities; Asset (DISCONTINUED) reached a record high of 196967.00000 in October of 2009 and a record low of 0.00000 in October of 1946. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Federal Government; Debt Securities; Asset (DISCONTINUED) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

In 2024, the national debt of India amounted to around 3.16 trillion U.S. dollars. Projections show an upward trend, with a significant increase each year. Honor thy national debtNational debt, also called government debt or public debt, is money owed by the federal government. It can be divided into internal debt, (which is owed to lenders in the country) and external debt (which is owed to foreign lenders). National debt is created and increased by using government bonds, for example, or by borrowing money from other nations due to financial struggles (well-known case in point: Greece). A quite complex issue, national debt is expected to be paid back in accordance with certain regulations overseen by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), a financial organization owned by central banks. India’s debt is rising, but so is its economic growthIndia’s liabilities have increased significantly, and forecasts show no end in sight. While India is a fast-growing economy and considered one of the main emerging economies, the so-called BRIC countries, India has been investing and borrowing money from commercial banks as well as several non-banking finance companies, and its national debt today makes up almost 70 percent of its GDP. Luckily, even though the national debt is forecast to increase, this share of GDP is predicted to decrease, as is the trade deficit in the long run, despite a significant jump back into the red in 2017.

United States US: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities, Loans, SDRs, Currency and Deposits, Other Account Payable data was reported at 105.859 % in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.890 % for Dec 2017. United States US: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities, Loans, SDRs, Currency and Deposits, Other Account Payable data is updated quarterly, averaging 67.484 % from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 93 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 105.859 % in Mar 2018 and a record low of 51.149 % in Jun 2001. United States US: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities, Loans, SDRs, Currency and Deposits, Other Account Payable data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: QPSD: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government.

The statistic shows the national debt of France from 2020 to 2023, with projections up until 2030. In 2023, the national debt of France amounted to around 3.64 trillion U.S. dollars. For comparison, the Greek debt amounted to approximately 392.27 billion euros that same year. French national debt and developments in taxationFrance currently has one of the highest national debt levels of any of the world’s nations. Debt in the European Union’s second-largest economy is currently at around 97 percent of GDP. The cost of interest on the country’s debt alone comes in at over 1,600 euros per second; every man, woman, and child in France, of which there are 65.3 million in total, takes a share of just under 28 thousand euros of the debt.On 6th May 2012, the incumbent French President was defeated by François Hollande, leader of the French Socialist Party. The new President vowed to develop and change the tax system of France, announcing wide-ranging economic policies in a bid to balance the nation’s budget and right what he considered to be social wrongs. He pledged and supported the separation of lending and investment banks, as well as proposing sweeping changes to the French tax system. The introduction of the measure of capping tax loopholes at a maximum of ten thousand euros per year and questioning the solidarity tax on wealth, the annual direct wealth tax on those with assets above 1.3 million, were also part of Hollande’s proposals. The President has also signaled his intention to implement an income tax rate of 75 percent on revenue earned above one million euros per year. He stated the allocation of the revenue from this tax would be used to develop the deprived suburbs and to balance the nation's budget by 2017. France is a country brimming with big business and millionaires. The nation is home to the most millionaires in Europe; 2.6 million in total.

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.

New Zealand recorded a Government Debt to GDP of 45.20 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2024. This dataset provides - New Zealand Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.