#USNationalDebt The US national debt, currently exceeding $36 trillion, represents the total money the federal government owes its lenders. This cumulative sum results from persistent budget deficits, where government spending outpaces revenue. Major drivers include increased spending on social programs, defense, and rising healthcare costs, coupled with tax cuts.
A significant portion of this debt is held domestically by US private investors, intra-governmental agencies, and the Federal Reserve, with foreign investors (like Japan and China) holding a smaller, though substantial, share. The debt-to-GDP ratio, currently around 122%, indicates the debt's size relative to the nation's economic output, impacting future economic growth and interest costs.
