Infographic: The National Debt Is Now More than $36 Trillion. What Does That Mean?

Last Updated November 22, 2024

The gross federal debt of the United States has surpassed $36,000,000,000,000. Although the debt affects each of us, it may be difficult to put such a large number into perspective and fully understand its implications. The infographic below offers different ways of looking at the debt and its relationship to the economy, the budget, and American families.

The $36 trillion gross federal debt includes debt held by the public as well as 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.

America’s high and rising debt matters because it threatens our economic future. The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly accelerated our fiscal challenges, but we were already on an unsustainable path, with structural drivers that existed long before the pandemic. Putting our nation on a better fiscal path will help ensure a stronger and more resilient economy for the future.

The national debt has now surpassed $36 trillion

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Post: America’s $36 trillion in #NationalDebt is roughly the value of the economies of China + Germany + Japan + India + United Kingdom combined.

The $36 trillion national debt is roughly the value of the economies of China, Germany, Japan, India, and the United Kingdom combined.

Post: Now at $36 trillion, our growing #NationalDebt is an issue for families across the United States.

The $36 trillion national debt amounts to $247,000 per household or $107,000 per person in America.

Post: At $36 trillion and rising, the #NationalDebt threatens our economic future.

If every U.S. household contributed $1,000/month toward paying down the national debt it would take about 23 years.

Post: With $36 trillion in #NationalDebt, building a sustainable economic future becomes more challenging.

$36 trillion is enough to cover a public four-year degree for every graduating U.S. high school student for 106 years.

Post: The interest that we pay on the #NationalDebt is now the fastest growing part of the budget.

We're not investing enough in our future, but we are spending nearly $3 billion per day on interest payments on the debt.

Further Reading

Image of the U.S. Capitol

Long-Term Budget Outlook Leaves No Room for Costly Legislation

As lawmakers consider costly legislation to extend expiring tax provisions this year, CBO’s latest projections serve as a warning that our fiscal outlook is already dangerously unsustainable.

Moody’s Warns Recent Policy Decisions Worsen U.S. Fiscal State, Maintains Negative Outlook Rating

Moody’s says that the United States is in fiscal deterioration, warning that government policy decisions in the near term could contribute to higher interest rates and worsening national debt.

Image of a dark hallway with a U.S. flag at the end

National Debt Would Skyrocket Under TCJA Extension

New analysis released from the nonpartisan CBO shows deficits doubling and debt skyrocketing under a scenario where the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were made permanent.