FRED Data Dashboard

Federal Spending & Debt

Follow the long arc of federal borrowing, deficits, public spending, and real economic growth using primary economic data served through TheSource.

Federal Debt

Federal debt is the total amount the U.S. government owes from past borrowing. The raw FRED series is reported in millions of dollars; this chart converts it to trillions so the long-term debt path is easier to read.

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Federal Deficit or Surplus

A surplus means the federal government collected more than it spent in that fiscal year. A deficit means spending exceeded receipts, adding to borrowing needs and, over time, debt.

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Federal Outlays as % of GDP

Outlays show federal spending relative to the size of the economy. Comparing outlays with receipts shows whether the federal government is financing current operations from current revenue or borrowing to cover the gap.

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

GDP Growth

Real GDP measures inflation-adjusted economic output. The long-term trend helps put debt, spending, and deficits in context by showing the size of the economy supporting federal finances.

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)