The United States budget deficit reached nearly $2 trillion, the highest level since 2021

Updated 2026-10-18 · told from many outlets at once

The US budget deficit rose by USD217 billion to nearly USD2 trillion in the 2026 fiscal year. The federal government's deficit represented 5.9 percent of the gross domestic product in 2025.

• The U.S. budget deficit rose to $1.992 trillion between October 2025 and September 2026, with outlays reaching $7.40 trillion.
• The federal deficit represented 5.9% of GDP in 2025 and was estimated at 6.2% of GDP in fiscal 2026.

Outlets: Business Recorder, Channels TV, Free Malaysia Today, La Nación (Costa Rica), Le Figaro, MarketWatch

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