How much debt per person in the US as of Feb. 2026?
As of February 2026, the total US national debt equates to approximately $113,000–$116,000 per person in America. This figure represents each citizen's share of the federal government's total outstanding debt, which has surpassed $38 trillion. This is distinct from, and much higher than, average personal consumer debt.
How can the government repay the interest and the debt itself?
The government repays debt and interest primarily by generating tax revenue, issuing new debt to pay off maturing bonds (rolling over debt), or, in extreme cases, through inflation. Because the U.S. government operates in perpetuity, it rarely pays off the total debt, instead relying on economic growth to make the debt manageable relative to GDP.
Here are the primary methods for repaying government debt and interest
- Tax Revenue: The government uses tax income from individuals and corporations to pay the interest on outstanding debt.
- Given there is always pressure to cut tax, this is not likely
- Issuing New Debt (Rolling Over): When bonds mature, the Treasury often issues new bonds to pay off the principal of the old ones. This "rollover" allows the government to maintain its debt load without paying it off immediately.
- Possible, but less likely
- Inflation ("Inflating it Away"): If inflation rises, the real value of the debt decreases, making it easier to pay back with future, less valuable dollars
- Economic Growth: A growing economy (GDP) increases tax revenues without raising tax rates, allowing the government to service debt more easily.
- Likely, but unprecedented
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Central Bank Purchasing: The Federal Reserve can buy government securities on the open market, injecting liquidity into the system, though this is a form of money creation.
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Similar to “inflation”.
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上下几千年，通胀是时间证明了的减债方法。
What can individual investors do to best deal with persistent inflation?
To best deal with persistent inflation, individual investors should diversify into inflation-resistant assets like stocks, real estate (REITs), and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). Focus on long-term growth by avoiding reactive, emotional decisions and utilizing dollar-cost averaging to manage volatility. Additionally, reduce high-interest debt, cut unnecessary expenses, and maintain a diversified portfolio to protect purchasing power.
关键投资策略
股票及分红股票：投资于定价能力强、资产负债表稳健的公司，因为股票的历史表现通常优于通货膨胀。
建议：放眼国际市场！
房地产投资信托基金（REITs）：由于租金通常会随通货膨胀上涨，REITs 可以起到对冲作用。
建议：购买出租物业
通胀保值债券（TIPS）和大宗商品：通胀保值债券（TIPS）会根据通货膨胀率调整本金，而大宗商品（例如黄金）在高通胀时期通常会升值。
避免闲置资金：将资金从低息账户中取出，因为通货膨胀会削弱购买力。
Key Investment Strategies
- Equities & Dividend Stocks: Invest in companies with strong pricing power and balance sheets, as stocks historically outpace inflation
- Go international!
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): These offer a hedge as rents often rise with inflation.
- buy rental properties
- TIPS and Commodities: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) adjust principal based on inflation, while commodities (e.g., gold) often rise in value during high-inflation periods.
- Avoid Idle Cash: Move money out of low-interest accounts, as inflation erodes purchasing power.
- 注：留现金看样子是个不好的办法
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