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CBO: U.S. needs 5%-6% growth to stabilize debt

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 2:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned growth alone cannot solve the U.S. $40 trillion debt.
U.S. Treasury counselor David Zervos said IMF forecasts are historically messy.
National debt reached $40.3 trillion, a 126% debt-to-GDP ratio.
Interest payments will be about 15% of spending and 20% of revenue in fiscal 2026.
CBO director Phillip Swagel warned that 5%-6% GDP growth, not 3%, is needed to stabilize debt.

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Story summary

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned growth alone cannot solve the U.S. $40 trillion debt.
U.S. Treasury counselor David Zervos said IMF forecasts are historically messy.
National debt reached $40.3 trillion, a 126% debt-to-GDP ratio.
Interest payments will be about 15% of spending and 20% of revenue in fiscal 2026.
CBO director Phillip Swagel warned that 5%-6% GDP growth, not 3%, is needed to stabilize debt.