Background bands mark who was president. They are not an attribution of cause. Presidents do not solely control these metrics. Monthly points use the president in office on the first day of the month. Calendar year points use the president in office on July 1. Fiscal year points use the president in office on October 1, the first day of that fiscal year. A fiscal year runs through the following September 30 and can include two presidents.

Gross Federal Debt

Units: percent of GDP. Share of GDP. fiscal year.

Table 7.1 - FEDERAL DEBT AT THE END OF YEAR: 1940 - 2025

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Table 7.1 - FEDERAL DEBT AT THE END OF YEAR: 1940 - 2025. Retrieved 2026-10-19. Series: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/hist07z1_fy2027.xlsx

Held by the Public, Total

Units: percent of GDP. Share of GDP. fiscal year.

Table 7.1 - FEDERAL DEBT AT THE END OF YEAR: 1940 - 2025

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Table 7.1 - FEDERAL DEBT AT THE END OF YEAR: 1940 - 2025. Retrieved 2026-10-19. Series: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/hist07z1_fy2027.xlsx