Public debt U.S. by month 2024 | Statista (2024)

Published by Statista Research Department, Apr 9, 2024

In March 2024, the public debt of the United States was around 34.59 trillion U.S. dollars, almost two trillion more than in July when it was around 32.6 trillion U.S. dollars. The U.S. public debt ceiling has become one of the most prominent political issues in the States in recent years, with debate over how to handle it causing political turmoil between Democrats and Republicans.

The public debt

The public debt of the United States has risen quickly since 2000, and in 2022 was more than five times higher than in 2000. The public debt is the total outstanding debt that is owed by the federal government. This figure is comprised of debt owed to the public (for example, through bonds) and intragovernmental debt (debt owed to various governmental departments), such as Social Security.

Debt in Politics

The debt issue has become a highly contentious topic within the U.S. government. Measures such as stimulus packages, social programs and tax cuts add to the public debt. Additionally, spending tends to peak during large global events, such as the Great Depression, the 2008 financial crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic - all of which had a detrimental impact on the U.S. economy. Although both major political parties in the U.S. tend to blame one another for increases in the country's debt, a recent analysis found that both parties have contributed almost equally to national expenditure.

Debate on raising the debt ceiling, or the amount of debt the federal government is allowed to have at any one time, was a leading topic in the government shutdown in October 2013. Despite plans from both Democrats and Republicans on how to lower the national debt, it is only expected to increase over the next decade.

Public debt of the United States from March 2013 to March 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)

CharacteristicNational debt in billion U.S. dollars
Mar '2434,586.53
Feb '2434,471.08
Jan '2434,191.15
Dec '2334,001.49
Nov '2333,878.68
Oct '2333,699.58
Sep '2333,167.33
Aug '2332,914.15
Jul '2332,608.59
Jun '2332,332.27
May '2331,464.46
Apr '2331,457.82
Mar '2331,458.44
Feb '2331,459.29
Jan '2331,454.98
Dec '2231,419.69
Nov '2231,413.32
Oct '2231,238.3
Sep '2230,928.91
Aug '2230,936.08
Jul '2230,595.11
Jun '2230,568.58
May '2230,499.62
Apr '2230,374.16
Mar '2230,400.96
Feb '2230,290.35
Jan '2230,012.39
Dec '2129,617.22
Nov '2128,907.99
Oct '2128,908.77
Sep '2128,428.92
Aug '2128,427.32
Jul '2128,427.72
Jun '2128,529.44
May '2128,199.01
Apr '2128,174.71
Mar '2128,132.57
Feb '2127,902.36
Jan '2127,784.55
Dec '2027,747.8
Nov '2027,446.29
Oct '2027,135.48
Sep '2026,945.39
Aug '2026,728.84
Jul '2026,524.95
Jun '2026,477.24
May '2025,746.26
Apr '2024,974.17
Mar '2023,686.87
Feb '2023,409.96
Jan '2023,223.81
Dec '1923,201.38
Nov '1923,076.2
Oct '1923,008.41
Sep '1922,719.4
Aug '1922,460.47
Jul '1922,022.37
Jun '1922,023.28
May '1922,026.42
Apr '1922,027.67
Mar '1922,027.88
Feb '1922,115.53
Jan '1921,982.42
Dec '1821,974.1
Nov '1821,850.09
Oct '1821,702.37
Sep '1821,516.06
Aug '1821,458.85
Jul '1821,313.06
Jun '1821,195.07
May '1821,145.22
Apr '1821,068.2
Mar '1821,089.64
Feb '1820,855.67
Jan '1820,493.73
Dec '1720,492.75
Nov '1720,590.39
Oct '1720,442.47
Sep '1720,244.9
Aug '1719,844.53
Jul '1719,844.91
Jun '1719,844.55
May '1719,845.9
Apr '1719,846.13
Mar '1719,846.42
Feb '1719,959.59
Jan '1719,937.26
Dec '1619,976.83
Nov '1619,948.07
Oct '1619,805.72
Sep '1619,573.45
Aug '1619,510.3
July '1619,427.7
Jun '1619,381.59
May '1619,265.45
Apr '1619,187.39
Mar '1619,264.94
Feb '1619,125.46
Jan '1619,012.83
Dec '1518,922.18
Nov '1518,327.32
Oct '1518,152.98
Sep '1518,150.62
Aug '1518,151.15
July '1518,151.32
Jun '1518,152
May '1518,152.85
Apr '1518,152.56
Mar '1518,152.06
Feb '1518,155.85
Jan '1518,082.29
Dec '1418,141.44
Nov '1418,005.55
Oct '1417,937.16
Sep '1417,824.07
Aug '1417,749.17
Jul '1417,687.14
Jun '1417,632.61
May '1417,516.96
Apr '1417,508.44
Mar '1417,601.23
Feb '1417,463.23
Jan '1417,293.02
Dec '1317,351.97
Nov '1317,217.15
Oct '1317,156.12
Sep '1316,738.18
Aug '1316,738.65
Jul '1316,738.6
Jun '1316,738.32
May '1316,738.82
Apr '1316,828.85
Mar '1316,771.38

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Public debt U.S. by month 2024 | Statista (2024)

FAQs

Public debt U.S. by month 2024 | Statista? ›

The U.S. Treasury Monthly Statement of the Public Debt (MSPD) dataset details the Treasury's outstanding debts and the statutory debt limit.

What is the monthly statement of public debt? ›

The U.S. Treasury Monthly Statement of the Public Debt (MSPD) dataset details the Treasury's outstanding debts and the statutory debt limit.

What is the breakdown of the US debt? ›

As of December 2023, total federal debt was $33.1 trillion; $26.5 trillion held by the public and $12.1 trillion in intragovernmental debt.

What is the United States' debt right now? ›

The $34 trillion gross federal debt equals debt held by the public plus debt held by federal trust funds and other government accounts. In very basic terms, this can be thought of as debt that the government owes to others plus debt that it owes to itself. Learn more about different ways to measure our national debt.

How much US debt does China own? ›

China is one of the United States's largest creditors, owning about $859.4 billion in U.S. debt.1 However, it does not own the most U.S. debt of any foreign country. Nations borrowing from each other may be as old as the concept of money.

How much US debt matures in 2024? ›

In 2024, 33% of our outstanding public debt matures ($7.6T) and must be reissued in a higher rate environment. On top of this $7.6T, the federal deficit could hit $2.0T in 2024, which means the Treasury would have to issue nearly $10T of new debt.

Who owns the majority of the US debt? ›

The Bottom Line

Many people believe that much of the U.S. national debt is owed to foreign countries like China and Japan, but the truth is that most of it is owed to Social Security and pension funds right here in the U.S. This means that U.S. citizens own most of the national debt.

What makes up the most of the US debt? ›

Of that amount, about $24.5 trillion, or 78 percent, was debt held by the public — representing cash borrowed from domestic and foreign investors. The remaining $7.0 trillion (22 percent), was intragovernmental debt, which simply records transactions between one part of the federal government and another.

What does most of the US debt come from? ›

Debt rises when the U.S. spends more than it earns from taxes and other revenue. The public debt results from tax and spending policies that commonly garner public support, but individuals often worry about how the national debt affects their lives and finances.

Who does the US owe all its debt to? ›

The public owes 74 percent of the current federal debt. Intragovernmental debt accounts for 26 percent or $5.9 trillion. The public includes foreign investors and foreign governments. These two groups account for 30 percent of the debt.

How much is Russia in debt? ›

According to the Bank of Russia's estimate, external debt of the Russian Federation as of March 31, 2024 totaled $304.0 billion, having decreased by $12.8 billion, or by 4.1%, since the end of 2023.

How bad is US debt? ›

While the US national debt exceeds $34 trillion, it isn't necessarily a problem for investors.

Who owes the US money? ›

Among other countries, Japan and China have continued to be the top owners of US debt during the last two decades. Since the dollar is a strong currency that is accepted globally, holding a substantial amount of US debt can be beneficial.

Does Russia hold any U.S. debt? ›

The value of U.S. Treasury securities held by residents of Russia amounted to 33 million U.S. dollars in June 2023, the lowest over the period under consideration. Furthermore, in March 2020, the figure decreased sharply to 3.85 billion U.S. dollars, down from 12.6 billion U.S. dollars one month prior.

What happens if China calls in U.S. debt? ›

Impact of China Buying U.S. Debt

Chinese loans to the U.S., through the purchase of U.S. debt, enable the U.S. to buy Chinese products. It's a win-win situation for both nations, with both benefiting mutually. China has a huge market for its products, and the U.S. benefits from the economic prices of Chinese goods.

Who owns over 70% of the U.S. debt? ›

Who owns the most U.S. debt? Around 70 percent of U.S. debt is held by domestic financial actors and institutions in the United States. U.S. Treasuries represent a convenient, liquid, low-risk store of value.

What is a statement of debt? ›

Statement of Debt

Your statement will show your debt information for up to 5 years. It will include: when we raised your debt. your debt repayment and transaction history.

Does TreasuryDirect provide monthly statements? ›

The Account Statements will be available on the 1st business day of the month no later than 1pm Eastern Time.

What is the monthly budget statement? ›

The Monthly Treasury Statement summarizes the financial activities of the federal government and off-budget federal entities and conforms to the Budget of the U.S. Government. The MTS presents a summary of: Receipts and outlays. Surplus or deficit.

What does the public debt clause say? ›

Fourteenth Amendment, Section 4: The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.

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