Data • By Topic • Government Finances

Debt

The national debt is the grand total of money the government owes, either to investors or to itself.

Obligations and National Debt

Debt ceiling

$19.8 Trillion

2017

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Total government debt held by public (Federal + S&L)

Total government debt held by public (Federal + S&L)

$16.9 Trillion

2017

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Total government debt as % of GDP

Total government debt as % of GDP

85.4%

2017

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Federal debt held by public as % of GDP

Federal debt held by public as % of GDP

77.14%

2018

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% of federal debt held by public that is foreign owned

% of federal debt held by public that is foreign owned

38.85%

2018

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State and local debt outstanding (municipal securities)

State and local debt outstanding (municipal securities)

$3.1 Trillion

2017

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State and local debt as % of GDP

State and local debt as % of GDP

15.52%

2017

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