#USNationalDebt

The US national debt is approximately $36.56 trillion, with debt held by the public around $29 trillion and intragovernmental holdings of about $7.4 trillion. To break it down further¹:

- *Total Federal Debt*: $36.56 trillion

- *Debt Held by the Public*: $29 trillion

- *Intragovernmental Debt*: $7.4 trillion

This debt is financed through various securities, including:

- *Treasury Bonds*: Long-term securities with maturities ranging from 10 to 30 years

- *Treasury Bills*: Short-term securities with maturities ranging from a few weeks to a year

- *Treasury Notes*: Medium-term securities with maturities ranging from 2 to 10 years

The national debt has been increasing due to factors such as² ³:

- *Aging Demographics*: The retiring baby-boom generation puts pressure on programs like Social Security and Medicare

- *Rising Healthcare Costs*: Increasing healthcare expenses contribute to the growing debt

- *Higher Interest Rates*: Rising interest rates increase borrowing costs for the government

The annual cost of servicing this debt is substantial, with interest payments projected to exceed $726 billion in 2023, accounting for around 14% of total federal spending.