#USNationalDebt

The US national debt is currently around $36.2 trillion, as of May 2025. To put that into perspective, that's roughly $106,000 per person in the US. The national debt has been increasing over time due to the government spending more than it takes in through taxes and other revenue sources.

*Breaking Down the Debt:*

- *Total Debt:* $36.2 trillion

- *Debt per Person:* $106,000

- *Debt as a Percentage of GDP:* 121% (as of Q1 2025)

The main drivers of the growing national debt are¹:

- *Demographics:* An aging population, with 10,000 people turning 65 every day through 2030, puts pressure on programs like Social Security and Medicare.

- *Rising Healthcare Costs:* Healthcare represents nearly one-fifth of the US economy and is a fast-growing part of the budget.

- *Interest Payments:* As the debt grows, so do interest payments, which can become a significant burden on the government.

It's worth noting that the US has carried debt since its inception, and the national debt has grown significantly during times of war, recession, and pandemics.²