Interest paid on public debt (% of government revenue) in the United States

This indicator measures gross interest payments by the general government as a share of total government revenue. It shows what fraction of the money the public sector collects in a given year is used to pay interest on its liabilities. Amounts are gross: they do not deduct interest received on government financial assets.
The series refers to the general government sector, a consolidation of central, state, and local government, plus social security funds. A higher ratio means that a larger share of revenue is absorbed by interest payments, leaving less room for other spending unless revenues rise or borrowing increases.