Federal Budget Breakdown Shows $14 of Every $100 Goes to Debt Interest
In fiscal 2025 the U.S. government spent about $7 trillion, with roughly $14 of each $100 allocated to interest on the national debt.
During fiscal year 2025 the federal government’s outlays reached roughly $7 trillion. Social Security consumed about $1.6 trillion, while major health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid accounted for roughly $26 of each $100 spent. Defense expenditures were near $13 per $100, and interest on the national debt claimed about $14, totaling $970 billion.
With tax receipts at $5.2 trillion, the budget ran a $1.8 trillion deficit, equating to borrowing $26 for every $100 of revenue. The Congressional Budget Office warns that net interest could surpass $1 trillion in 2026 and rise to $2.1 trillion annually by 2036 if current laws persist. The analysis argues that Americans need a clear view of how each dollar is used before being asked for more.
Why it matters
It reveals how a large share of federal spending goes to debt interest, highlighting sustainability concerns for taxpayers.
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