The national debt of the U.S. is an ever-evolving figure. As of June 17, 2025, the total outstanding public debt was $36,215,397,741,847.76.
Here is a breakdown of the current situation and related information:
Current Debt Figures 💳
* Total Outstanding Public Debt (as of June 17, 2025): Approximately $36.22 trillion. This figure is composed of:
* Debt held by the public: ~$28.88 trillion
* Intragovernmental holdings: ~$7.33 trillion
Key Aspects of U.S. National Debt 🇺🇲
* Definition: National debt represents the total amount of money that the U.S. government owes to its lenders, including individuals, corporations, and foreign governments, as well as to its own government accounts (such as Social Security and Medicare trust funds).
* Debt-to-GDP Ratio: As of May 2025, debt represented approximately 122% of the country's annual economic output (GDP). Historically, a debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 77% can slow economic growth.
* Who Holds the Debt?
* Approximately three-quarters of the debt is held domestically, primarily by investors and private entities in the U.S. (savings bonds, mutual funds, pension funds), U.S. government agencies and intragovernmental trusts, and the Federal Reserve.
* Foreign investors hold approximately $9.05 trillion, with Japan and the United Kingdom being the largest foreign holders.
Historical Trends 🗓️
* The U.S. has had debt since its inception, with significant increases during major events such as wars (e.g., the American Civil War, World Wars) and recessions (e.g., the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic).
* Debt grew significantly in the 1980s, then decreased in the 1990s and has since increased dramatically.
* The total debt of the federal government surpassed the $30 trillion mark for the first time in February 2022.
Projections 🚀🚨
* Short term: The federal budget deficit is projected to be around $1.9 trillion in fiscal year 2025.
* Long term:
* The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that federal debt held by the public will increase from 100% of GDP in 2025 to 118% in 2035, surpassing its previous peak of 106% in 1946.
* It is projected that the debt-to-GDP ratio will reach 156% by 2055 and could continue to grow if current laws do not change.
* The rising costs of interest and mandatory spending on Social Security and Medicare are major drivers of the projected increase in debt.
The national debt of the U.S. is a critical economic indicator with significant implications for economic growth, interest rates, and future fiscal policy.