#USNationalDebt The national debt has increased every year over the past ten years. Interest expenses during this period have remained fairly stable due to low interest rates and investors’ judgement that the U.S. The government has a very low risk of default. However, recent increases in interest rates and inflation are now resulting in an increase in interest expense.

As of May 2025 it costs $776 billion to maintain the debt, which is 16% of the total federal spending in fiscal year 2025.