United States — General government deficit (% of GDP)

% of GDP · Annual · 1800–2030 · 231 observations

About this series

The general government deficit series records the period's fiscal balance under the source's accounting and sign convention. A deficit indicates a shortfall; the series is a flow, not a debt stock. This series expresses that measure as a percentage of GDP for the matching period.

For the United States, the general government deficit reading stood at −7.91% of GDP in 2025. Against −7.63% of GDP in 2024, the period change was −0.28 percentage points. It was below the selected 10-year average of −7.65% of GDP.

-20-100101800200020102030% of GDPSubscribe to view

Get the full series

  • Annual data, 1800–2030
  • Quarterly data, 1960–2026
  • All 6 sources, downloadable

Latest observations

2000–2030

PeriodValue
2030-7.65 % of GDP
2029-7.76 % of GDP
2028-8.18 % of GDP
2027-8.04 % of GDP
2026-7.93 % of GDP
15 earlier values
2025-7.91 % of GDP
2024-7.63 % of GDP
2023-7.62 % of GDP
2022-3.69 % of GDP
2021-11.8 % of GDP
2020-15 % of GDP
2019-6.75 % of GDP
2018-6.18 % of GDP
2017-4.47 % of GDP
2016-5.44 % of GDP
2015-4.68 % of GDP
2014-5.33 % of GDP
2013-5.95 % of GDP
2012-9.33 % of GDP
2011-11.1 % of GDP

Values before 2011, back to 2000, are on the chart — hover to read them.

Data release 2026_08_27_1049, published 30 Sept 2026.