United States Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
United States's budget deficit was -7.37% in 2025, ranked 166th globally. This represents a 8.3% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2001–2025.
Overview
United States's budget deficit stood at -7.37% in 2025, a rise of +0.67% from 2024. The IMF projects -7.37% by 2025. United States ranked 166th globally.
The United States recorded a federal budget deficit of ‑7.37 percent of GDP in 2025, placing it 166th in the world according to the IMF World Economic Outlook and positioning it alongside peers such as Jordan (‑7.48) and Grenada (‑7.30). Over the 25‑year span from 2001 to 2025 the deficit widened dramatically, moving from an all‑time peak of ‑0.54 percent of GDP in 2001 to an all‑time trough of ‑14.12 percent in 2020, a surge driven by pandemic‑related spending and fiscal stimulus. The post‑2020 period has seen a gradual contraction of the gap, yet the deficit remains substantially larger than its pre‑crisis level, reflecting persistent structural imbalances and discretionary outlays. Continued pressures from entitlement programs and interest‑cost growth could stall further reduction, while a sustained rise in revenues or a decisive curtailment of discretionary spending would be required to reverse the downward trajectory and bring the deficit closer to the modest levels seen at the start of the millennium.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -7.59% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -7.70% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -8.11% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -7.97% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -7.86% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -7.37% | - | - |
| 2025 | -7.37% | +0.67% | #166 |
| 2024 | -8.03% | −0.23% | #17 |
| 2023 | -7.80% | −4.08% | #12 |
| 2022 | -3.72% | +7.71% | #80 |
| 2021 | -11.43% | +2.69% | #11 |
| 2020 | -14.12% | −8.32% | #12 |
| 2019 | -5.81% | −0.47% | #26 |
| 2018 | -5.34% | −0.54% | #27 |
| 2017 | -4.79% | −0.44% | #41 |
| 2016 | -4.36% | −0.83% | #57 |
| 2015 | -3.53% | +0.50% | #75 |
| 2014 | -4.03% | +0.54% | #57 |
| 2013 | -4.56% | +3.55% | #47 |
| 2012 | -8.11% | +1.60% | #13 |
| 2011 | -9.72% | +1.28% | #8 |
Analysis
United States's budget deficit was -7.37% in 2025, a rise of +0.67% from 2024. IMF projects -7.37% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's budget deficit was -7.37% in 2025. Ranked 166th globally. This represents a 8.3% increase from the previous year.
United States's budget deficit peaked at -0.54% in 2001.
The lowest budget deficit in United States was -14.12% in 2020.
United States ranks 166th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
United States's budget deficit is projected to reach -7.37% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of United States in 2025 was -7.37%. This ranks 166th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_budget-deficit,
title = {United States Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}