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U.S. national debt passes $40 trillion mark

The total federal debt reaches a new record, amounting to more than $116,000 per American resident.

The short version

  • The total United States national debt crossed $40 trillion for the first time on Wednesday.
  • Across an estimated population of 343 million people, the figure amounts to roughly $116,618 per resident.
  • The milestone follows prior thresholds of $38 trillion in October and $39 trillion in March, with projections indicating it could hit $41 trillion by year's end.

Key facts

  • The United States national debt exceeded $40 trillion for the first time.[Scientific American]
  • Divided across an estimated 343 million residents, the national debt equates to approximately $116,618 per person.[Scientific American]
  • The federal debt had previously crossed $38 trillion in October and reached $39 trillion in March.[Scientific American]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the total national debt will rise to $41 trillion by the end of the year as currently projected.[Scientific American]

Sources