U.S. Public Debt Tops 100.3% of GDP for First Time Since WWII
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 29
U.S. Public Debt Tops 100.3% of GDP for First Time Since WWII
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 29
Summary
100.3%: federal debt held by the public exceeded the size of the U.S. economy in fiscal 2026, crossing a threshold not seen since World War II.
3.4% annualized GDP growth from July to September and a 0.5% rise in September consumer spending show resilience, but that spending gain was largely erased after inflation.
Tax refunds and stock-market gains helped support households this year, especially wealthier consumers, but economists say that lift is fading and fourth-quarter spending should cool.
Elevated interest rates and persistent inflation are already squeezing budgets, and economists warn a heavy debt load could keep long-term borrowing costs high if growth slows.