#USNationalDebt The US national debt is approximately $36.56 trillion, with about $29 trillion held by the public and $7.4 trillion in intragovernmental debt. To break it down further:

- *Total Federal Debt*: $36.56 trillion

- *Debt Held by the Public*: $29 trillion, roughly 77% of GDP in 2017

- *Intragovernmental Debt*: $7.4 trillion, representing debt owed to government agencies like the Social Security Administration

The national debt has been increasing over the years, driven by factors such as ¹ ²:

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

- *Rising Healthcare Costs*: Increasing healthcare expenses contribute significantly to the federal budget

- *Higher Interest Rates*: Rising interest rates increase the cost of maintaining the national debt

The US government pays interest on its debt, which can fluctuate based on the total debt and interest rates. In 2023, the annualized cost of servicing the debt was $726 billion, accounting for 14% of total federal spending ¹.

To stay updated on the national debt, you can check the ³:

- *Daily Treasury Statement*: Provides information on debt held by the public and intragovernmental debt

- *Debt to the Penny*: Offers daily updates on the total outstanding public debt