After record federal budget deficits of $3.1 trillion in 2020 and $2.8 trillion in 2021, the 2022 deficit is projected to drop to $1.0 trillion, due to increased tax revenue from a stronger economy and the end of government pandemic-relief spending. These deficits are equivalent to 15.0%, 12.4%, and 4.2% of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively. For comparison, the deficit averaged 3.5% of GDP over the last 50 years.
The deficit is expected to drop further in 2023 before rising steadily due to increasing health-care costs for an aging population and higher interest rates on mounting government debt. In 2032, the deficit is projected to be almost $2.3 trillion, equivalent to 6.1% of GDP.
Source: Congressional Budget Office, May 2022. The federal government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30, so FY 2022 began on October 1, 2021, and ended on September 30, 2022. Projections for 2022 and beyond are based on current conditions, are subject to change, and may not come to pass.
