#USNationalDebt The US national debt, the total money owed by the federal government, reached approximately $36.2 trillion as of May 2025, representing about 122% of the country's GDP. This figure is growing by roughly $1 trillion every three months.

The debt is composed of "debt held by the public" and "intragovernmental holdings". Domestically, US private investors, intra-governmental agencies, and the Federal Reserve hold the majority. Foreign investors, particularly Japan, the UK, and China, hold a significant portion.

Debt increases when government spending surpasses revenue, notably during events like wars, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest payments on this debt are substantial, projected to exceed $1 trillion before 2030. All three major credit rating agencies now rate US debt below the top tier.