Washington, 3 September 2026 – United States national debt has moved above US$40 trillion, intensifying concern over government borrowing, rising interest costs and the effect of fiscal policy on global bond markets. The milestone was reached in August, when daily Treasury data showed total public debt outstanding at roughly US$40.047 trillion, more than double the level recorded about a decade earlier.
Debt held by the public accounted for approximately US$32.266 trillion, while intragovernmental holdings were about US$7.782 trillion. The distinction matters because publicly held debt is financed through securities purchased by domestic and foreign investors, banks, pension funds and the central bank. Intragovernmental debt represents obligations between federal accounts, but it remains part of the government’s total commitments.
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