What happens if the US can't pay its debt?

If the U.S. can't pay its debt (defaults), it triggers a global financial crisis, causing U.S. and world markets to crash, freezing credit, spiking interest rates (mortgages, loans), halting federal payments (Social Security, military), and leading to severe recession, mass job losses, and lasting damage to U.S. financial credibility, potentially collapsing the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency.

What would happen if America defaults on its debt?

A default on all outstanding U.S. Treasuries would almost surely precipitate a global financial crisis. Further, because about 70% of the debt is held by Americans, most of the savings from foregone interest payments would be at the expense of U.S. investors.

What would happen if the US stopped paying the debt?

So, in a practical sense, Social Security and federal pension payments might cease; federal agencies would furlough employees; vital economic services such as the post office, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and the Federal Aviation Administration would stop without an emergency stopgap measure by ...

Why can't the US get out of debt?

The U.S. doesn't pay off its national debt because it consistently spends more than it collects in revenue, creating annual deficits that add to the debt, while also using debt to fund investments and maintain the global financial system, making large cuts or tax hikes politically challenging and unpopular. Instead of paying it down, the government often borrows more to service existing debt, relying on the U.S. dollar's reserve currency status and a stable economy to attract investors, but faces growing risks from escalating interest payments and potential loss of confidence. 

What happens if you can't pay your debt in the USA?

If you don't pay, the collection agency can sue you to try to collect the debt. If successful, the court may grant them the authority to garnish your wages or bank account or place a lien on your property. You can defend yourself in a debt collection lawsuit or file bankruptcy to stop collection actions.

The US Literally Cannot Repay Its National Debt.

Who owns over 70% of the US debt?

Who owns the most U.S. debt? Around 70-80 percent of U.S. debt is held by domestic financial actors and institutions in the United States. U.S. Treasuries represent a convenient, liquid, low-risk store of value.

How many Americans are 100% debt free?

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve.

What country is deepest in debt?

The country with the worst debt depends on how you measure it, but Sudan often leads in debt-to-GDP ratio (around 250%+) due to conflict, while Japan has the highest among developed nations (over 230%), and the United States holds the largest absolute debt (trillions). Other nations with very high debt-to-GDP include Singapore, Greece, and Italy, with emerging economies like Sri Lanka, Laos, and Pakistan also facing severe distress. 

Can the US eliminate its debt?

It's highly unlikely the U.S. will ever fully "pay off" its national debt in the way a household pays a mortgage, as governments manage debt through continuous borrowing (rolling over bonds), but they must control its growth relative to the economy (GDP) through spending cuts, tax increases, or economic growth to prevent fiscal crises, requiring drastic measures like cutting Social Security/Medicare or significant tax hikes to make a real dent. While the U.S. can technically print its own currency, excessive money printing risks severe inflation, and managing debt sustainably involves balancing deficits with revenue and economic output. 

Has America ever paid off its debt?

Yes, the U.S. paid off its entire national debt for the only time in history on January 1, 1835, under President Andrew Jackson, primarily from land sales and budget surpluses, but it was short-lived, with debt reappearing quickly and growing again due to economic events like the Panic of 1837, leading to continuous borrowing since. 

Which country has zero debt?

As the world's biggest gambling hub, Macao SAR has zero debt, bolstered by billions in gaming revenue and healthy financial reserves. Liechtenstein ranks in second, with virtually no debt and the only country in Europe ranking in the top 10.

Why is US debt so high?

U.S. debt is high due to a combination of consistent budget deficits from spending exceeding revenue, driven by mandatory spending on Social Security and healthcare for an aging population, significant costs from wars (like Iraq/Afghanistan) and recessions (2008, COVID-19), tax cuts reducing revenue, and rising interest payments on the growing debt, creating a structural imbalance.
 

Is it possible to live in America without debt?

Federal Reserve data shows that about 23% of Americans have no debt. Striving to live without debt is admirable, but having debt isn't automatically bad. For example, a mortgage is a significant debt, but you're building equity in an asset that's likely to appreciate over time.

How many Americans have $20,000 in credit card debt?

A majority of Americans (53%) carry some, with an average balance of $7,719. However, a third of those carrying debt (32%) owe $10,000 or more, while almost 1 in 10 (9%) have credit card debt over $20,000.

Are Americans struggling financially in 2025?

Yes, many Americans struggled financially in 2025 due to rising costs, with surveys indicating nearly half felt their finances worsened, many living paycheck-to-paycheck (around 24-67% depending on definition), and significant portions delaying care or cutting groceries, despite some overall economic growth. Issues like unexpected expenses, difficulty affording necessities (housing, food), and high credit card debt were common, impacting middle-class families and diverse communities significantly, although billionaires saw wealth increase. 

What is the safest place for money if the US defaults on debt?

If the US defaults. there is no safe place to put your US Dollars. The alternatives are commodities (gold,silver,collectibles) or possibly foreign currencies (euro,pound,etc). But really, if the US defaults the best assets you'll have would be canned goods and ammunition.

Is Trump going to forgive tax debt?

There is no IRS forgiveness plan officially introduced by Trump in 2025. While some campaign proposals have discussed tax simplification or reduced rates, they do not include debt cancellation for individuals with unpaid taxes.

At what point is US debt unsustainable?

There's no single date for when U.S. debt becomes unsustainable, but projections show growing risks, with some models suggesting potential default issues within 20 years without policy changes, while others point to near-term concerns like interest costs rising faster than GDP by the late 2020s, potentially triggering higher rates or inflation before a true crisis hits, but it's a gradual process dependent on future growth, interest rates, and policy actions. 

How fast could the U.S. get out of debt?

Absent massive revenue increases – which President Trump has never mentioned – it would be literally impossible to pay off the national debt over the four years of the next presidential term, and practically impossible to pay it off over the ten-year budget window.

What country owes the US the most money?

The country that owes the U.S. the most money, in terms of holding U.S. Treasury debt, is Japan, followed by China and the United Kingdom, with Japan holding over $1 trillion as of late 2024/early 2025, having surpassed China for the top spot in recent years. This foreign-held debt represents U.S. government borrowing, where foreign entities invest in safe U.S. securities, but the U.S. government itself holds the largest portion of its own debt. 

What is the poorest country in the world?

As of late 2025/early 2026, South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world, consistently ranking last or near-last by GDP per capita due to civil conflict, political instability, and resource issues, though Afghanistan also appears at the very bottom in some rankings. Other nations like Burundi, Central African Republic, and Yemen also face extreme poverty.
 

Who is the largest loan taker from the World Bank?

“India tops the World Bank charts—not for begging, but for building. $39.3B isn't debt—it's investment in the future. While others borrow to survive, India borrows to scale.”

What is the credit card limit for $70,000 salary?

The credit limit you can expect for a $70,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $14000 to $21000, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.

Which gender has more debt?

Men have 2 percent more credit card debt than women. Men have 9.7 percent more mortgage debt than women. Men have 20 percent more personal loan debt than women. Women have 2.7 percent more student loan debt than men.

Is being debt-free the new rich?

Yes, for many people, being debt-free feels like the new rich because it provides immense financial freedom, peace of mind, and security, even if it doesn't mean having millions in the bank; it shifts the definition of wealth from pure income to a lack of financial burdens, allowing for more saving, investing, and enjoying life without stress. While traditional wealth is assets minus liabilities, eliminating debt frees up income for wealth-building, making it a significant step towards financial well-being and independence, especially as many struggle with rising costs and stagnant wages.