#USNationalDebt The US national debt is approximately $36.56 trillion as of March 6, 2025. To break it down further:

- *Total Public Debt*: $36.4 trillion, consisting of debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings

- *Debt Held by the Public*: around $29 trillion, which is roughly 77% of the country's GDP

- *Intragovernmental Holdings*: approximately $7.4 trillion, representing debt owed to government trust funds like Social Security

The growing national debt is attributed to factors such as:

- *Demographics*: America's aging population, with 10,000 people turning 65 every day through 2030, puts pressure on the federal budget, particularly on programs like Social Security and Medicare

- *Rising Healthcare Costs*: The US healthcare system is the most expensive in the world, and its rapid growth affects the federal budget and fiscal outlook

- *Inadequate Revenues*: The US tax system doesn't generate enough revenue to cover spending, leading to higher annual deficits and mounting debt

The consequences of the rising national debt include¹:

- *Increasing Interest Payments*: The government spends over $2.6 billion daily on interest, which is the fastest-growing part of the federal budget

- *Reduced Resources for Investment*: Growing interest payments mean fewer resources available for investing in a stronger, more resilient future

- *Long-term Sustainability Concerns*: The Congressional Budget Office projects that federal debt held by the public will rise from 99% of GDP in 2024 to 116% in 2034, potentially threatening the country's fiscal stability²