[REVISION HISTORY]

US debt surpasses $40.5T; public debt exceeds 100% of GDP

29 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-31 01:33 UTC → 2026-11-05 23:04 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By late October 2026, the U.S. national debt ~~has~~ reached a new record high of approximately $40.528 trillion, having grown by more than $500 billion since crossing the $40 trillion milestone in mid-August. This rapid increase follows a decade of significant growth, with the debt more than doubling from approximately $19.8 trillion in 2016. A major fiscal milestone was reached at the end of fiscal year 2026, as public debt held by the public reached approximately $32.2 trillion, representing 100.03% of the nation's GDP. This marks the first time this ratio has exceeded the 100% threshold at a fiscal year close since 1946. The fiscal year 2026 deficit was nearly $2 trillion, or roughly 6.2% of GDP, driven by $7.4 trillion in expenditures against $5.4 trillion in revenues. Recent data from the Department of the Treasury shows the debt continued to climb, reaching $40.55 trillion by November 3, 2026. This includes $32.77 trillion held by the public and $7.78 trillion in intragovernmental holdings. In October 2026, the Treasury recorded $73.5 billion in accrued interest expense, which constitutes the total interest expense for fiscal year 2027 to date. Escalating interest costs remain a primary driver of instability. ~~Net~~ Annual interest ~~costs reached $1.05 trillion for the twelve months ending in September, an 8% increase over fiscal year 2025. Total debt servicing costs hit a record $1.36~~ payments have exceeded $1.1 trillion. ~~Experts warn~~ Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a ~~“creeping loss of~~ Responsible Federal Budget, noted that the nation's fiscal ~~maneuvering room” if lenders reduce capital provision.~~ path has been “running backward for an extended period,” advocating for deficits closer to 3% of GDP. Long-term projections ~~from the Congressional Budget Office and the Peterson Institute for International Economics~~ suggest that without ~~significant~~ reform, debt could reach ~~$50 trillion within six years or represent~~ 155% of GDP within 30 years.

Versions

Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.