Who does the US owe the most to?

The U.S. owes the most money to itself (domestic holders like U.S. investors, banks, and government trust funds), but among foreign countries, Japan holds the largest share of U.S. debt, followed by China and the United Kingdom, with Japan surpassing China as the top foreign holder around 2019. A significant portion of U.S. debt is also held by the Federal Reserve and other government entities (intragovernmental debt).

Who does America owe the most money to?

America owes the most money to its own domestic investors, institutions, and government entities, who hold the majority of the debt, with Japan and China being the largest foreign holders of U.S. Treasury securities, followed by the United Kingdom. So, while foreign countries hold significant amounts, most U.S. debt is held by Americans and internal government accounts. 

Who owns over 70% of the U.S. 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 is the largest debt in the US?

The biggest category by far is mortgages, at $12.8 trillion. Mortgages account for 70% of the $18.20 trillion household debt load. A home purchase is likely the largest debt you will take on in your life, and with the median price of a home in America $414,000 in 2025, that's a big loan even with 20% down.

Who does the US Owe its $35 Trillion debt? (National Debt Explained)

Who does the US owe 36 trillion to?

The U.S. owes its $36 trillion national debt to a mix of domestic investors (like banks, mutual funds, and individuals), U.S. government accounts (like Social Security), the Federal Reserve, and foreign investors, with Japan, the UK, and China being the largest foreign holders, primarily through purchasing U.S. Treasury bonds. The largest portion is held domestically, but foreign entities hold trillions, making countries like Japan and China significant lenders.
 

Who was the last president to balance the US budget?

The last president to oversee a balanced federal budget was Bill Clinton, whose administration achieved budget surpluses for four consecutive years, from fiscal years 1998 to 2001, marking the first sustained period of budget balance in decades. This rare feat was due to a combination of economic growth, spending cuts, and tax increases, and it ended with the start of the new millennium, after which deficits returned. 

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.

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.

Who has the most debt on Earth?

The United States has the most government debt in absolute dollar terms, exceeding $38 trillion, followed by China and Japan, with the top three countries holding about 60% of the world's total government debt. While the U.S. has the largest amount, Japan often ranks high for debt as a percentage of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product). 

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. 

Who owns the 35 trillion in US debt?

Who Owns All that Debt? On October 21, 2025, the nation's gross debt eclipsed $38 trillion. Of that amount, approximately 80 percent, was debt held by the public — representing cash borrowed from domestic and foreign investors.

What would happen if the US paid off all its debt?

If the U.S. paid off all its debt, it would trigger an economic crisis by eliminating safe investment options (Treasury bonds), causing a massive cash glut, crashing interest rates, disrupting monetary policy (Federal Reserve operations), forcing cuts in government services/spending, and potentially leading to a depression as the economy would lose its primary safe asset, disrupting the entire global financial system that relies on U.S. debt. The process itself, whether through extreme taxes or printing money, would likely cause hyperinflation or deep recession, while the end result removes a critical benchmark for the global economy.
 

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. 

What is the #1 cause of debt in the US?

The leading cause of debt in America, by far, is mortgage debt, making up about 70% of total household debt, as housing is the largest purchase for most Americans. Following mortgages, major drivers of personal debt include auto loans, student loans, credit cards, often used for unexpected expenses like medical bills, and rising costs for necessities like childcare. 

Why doesn't China call in US debt?

Treasury bonds are freely traded financial instruments, China cannot —nor can any other creditor—simply demand a repayment at their will. Additionally, because the U.S. controls its own currency, it has the ability to manage its debt through fiscal and monetary policies.

What credit score do you need for a $400,000 house?

Credit Score

When applying for a $400,000 home, lenders evaluate your credit scores to determine eligibility and the rates you'll receive: 740+: Best rates and terms. 700-739: Slightly higher rates. 660-699: Higher rates, may require larger down payment.

What credit card has a $100000 limit?

A $100,000 credit card limit is excellent, typically requiring top-tier credit, high income, and low debt, with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred rumored to offer such limits (though usually starting at $5,000), and some premium business cards, like Brex, designed for high spending. Reaching this limit depends on factors like your credit score, income, and responsible spending, and you can often request increases or report higher income to issuers. 

Should a $20000 credit card have a $6000 balance?

How Much You Should Spend With a $20,000 Credit Limit. Spending between $200 and $2,000 per month is best for your credit score. You should avoid having a balance above $6,000 when your monthly statement gets generated. Even if you spend $0, your credit score will still improve just by having the account open.

What percentage of Americans are 100% debt free?

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.

What is a good credit score range?

A good credit score generally falls in the 670-739 range for FICO scores, indicating responsible credit use and good chances for loan approval with decent rates, while scores above 740 (Very Good) to 800+ (Exceptional) unlock the best loan terms and interest rates, with scores below 600 often making credit harder to get. Different models (FICO, VantageScore) use slightly different bands, but the overall trend is the same: higher is better, with 700+ being a solid target.
 

How many Americans have maxed out credit cards?

Its recent survey of 1,000 American adults found that 32 percent of Americans had maxed out their credit cards, 37 percent used credit cards regularly just to make ends meet, and 44 percent said inflation had caused them to carry larger monthly balances.

What did Bill Clinton do for America?

Clinton presided over the second longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. He signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act but failed to pass his plan for national health care reform.

What was the biggest surplus in US history?

THE LARGEST UNIFIED SURPLUS EVER.

Now, instead of a $455 billion deficit, OMB estimates a surplus this year of at least $230 billion the third consecutive surplus and the largest surplus ever, even after adjusting for inflation.

How did Clinton eliminate the deficit?

In proposing a plan to cut the deficit, Clinton submitted a budget and corresponding tax legislation (the final, signed version was known as the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993) that would cut the deficit by $500 billion over five years by reducing $255 billion of spending and raising taxes on the wealthiest ...