U.S. public debt hits 80-year high
The U.S. federal debt-to-GDP ratio reached 100.03% at the end of fiscal year 2026, marking its highest level since 1946.
According to federal government data, public debt stood at $32.2 trillion as of September 30. Following the release of third-quarter economic growth figures, the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeded 100% for the first time in approximately 80 years.
The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 99.4% at the end of fiscal year 2025, while the latest figure came in below the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) February forecast of 100.6%. The ratio previously reached a historic peak of 106% in 1946, largely due to the financing of World War II. The latest figures indicate that the U.S. debt burden is approaching those historic levels once again, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the country's public finances.
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