Total public debt
Total public debt outstanding — what the federal government owes. The Treasury updates it every business day. It is published to the penny.
$ —
As of —. Source: U.S. Treasury. Debt to the penny. Updated every 24 hours.
Per person obligation
Divide the total by the population. The number becomes less abstract.
Debt growth rate
The level is large. The velocity tells you more. How much was added in the last 24 hours. In the last 30 days. In the last year. Growth relative to GDP shows whether the economy is expanding faster than the obligation or falling behind.
Debt over time
Total public debt outstanding, by day. Source: U.S. Treasury, debt to the penny.
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Debt composition
Debt held by the public (Treasury securities held by investors, Fed, foreign governments) vs. intragovernmental holdings (what the government owes to itself — e.g. Social Security trust funds).
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Primary deficit
Before interest is counted, are revenues covering expenditures. If not, the debt grows even before financing costs are applied. This is the structural imbalance.
Source: CBO FY2024 Infographic, Treasury Monthly Statement.
Major drivers
Where the money goes. Not commentary. Just distribution.
| Category | FY2024 | Share |
|---|
Source: CBO, Treasury Combined Statement FY2024. Total outlays ~$6.75T.
Interest burden
What portion of federal revenue goes to servicing debt. What programs does it rival. Interest does not produce new assets. It satisfies past obligations.
Source: CBO, Budget Outlook 2025–2035.
Refinancing exposure
Short-term debt must be rolled over at current rates. When rates rise, refinancing cost rises. The maturity structure determines how quickly higher rates flow into total interest expense.
Source: Treasury MSPD, Nov 2024.
External exposure
A portion of U.S. debt is held abroad. That distribution affects geopolitical leverage and capital flows.
| Holder | Amount |
|---|
Source: Treasury TIC, mid-2024 survey. Holdings reflect custodial location; beneficial ownership may differ.
Projected path
Based on current law, where does the debt move over the next decade. Assumptions are documented. The trajectory is visible.
Historical comparison
Debt-to-GDP at key moments. Perspective without dramatics.
| Year | Debt / GDP | Context |
|---|
Sources: FRED, CBO. * 2035 figure uses debt held by public as % of GDP per CBO methodology; total debt including intragovernmental is higher.
Latest report
Daily and weekly reports summarize the snapshot, the delta, and a straight narrative. The rest live in the reports archive. Nothing gets buried.