In constant us dollars (2005=100), us government debt grew from 160 billion or 16.3% of gdp in 1929, to 10,849 billion or 83.5% of gdp in 2009, at an annual average rate of 5.3%, well above of gdp annual average growth rate of 3..3%. As percent of gdp, debt represented 16.3% in 1929, reached a historical peak of 121.2% in 1946 (world war ii), came down to the 40% mark in the 1970's, climbing back to the 60% mark thereafter, but accelerating the climbing since 2007 to reach the 2009 83.5% mark.

US government debt reached $10.8 trillion (constant US$, 2005=100) or 83.5% of "real" GDP (gross domestic product) in 2009.

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