United States national debt reaches $40 trillion

The United States' national debt has reached $40 trillion, according to data from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC). The debt is increasing at an average rate of approximately $85,111 per second, representing a yearly increase of $2.67 trillion. This growth translates to roughly $117,279 per capita and $297,522 per household.

Economic analyses suggest that rising debt levels pose a significant risk to national security. Rapidly growing social security and healthcare expenditures are outpacing defense spending, potentially limiting the ability of the federal budget to finance long-term conflicts or respond to global crises, such as potential tensions in Taiwan or the Middle East.

Furthermore, the cost of servicing this debt is rising. The average interest rate on marketable national debt reached 3.475% in August 2026. Michael Peterson, CEO of the Peterson Foundation, noted that while citizens do not receive a direct bill for the debt, the burden is felt through higher taxes and increased costs for consumer credit, such as housing and vehicle loans.