<p>The difference between these is scope. The OECD data is looking at gross general government debt, whereas the Wikipedia article is stating federal government debt. The difference between the two is the OECD number includes state and local governments in addition to the federal government.
Hope this helps,
Spookypants</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-22T16:31:18.613Z
That's what I thought too however if you read carefully the wikipedia article it states that state and local governments are included in the number ...
Alexis L.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-22T16:20:53.967Z
2016-06-22T16:20:53.967Z
Econolord
<p>The OECD number includes intragovernmental debt, which is debt not held by the public, while the Wikipedia number does not. One of the largest of these debts (several trillion dollars) is related to Social Security, which is a debt owed by the federal government to the Social Security Trust Fund. A <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v75n1/v75n1p1.html" rel="nofollow">review of the history of this debt and its implications</a> is available from the Social Security Administration. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-22T17:20:15.617Z
2016-06-22T17:20:15.617Z
dismalscience
<p>In <a href="https://data.oecd.org/chart/4z7D" rel="nofollow">this OECD link</a> we have the US General government debt. The value is close to 120% of GDP.</p>

<p>However, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_of_the_United_States" rel="nofollow">wikipedia</a> has the US Federal Gov debt at 80%.</p>

<p>Why is there such a difference? What debt is being considered by the OECD, that is not by the wikipedia graph?</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated</p>

<macroeconomics><government-debt>
Different values for US Public Debt, why?
An old man in the sea.
# Different values for US Public Debt, why?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-22)

In [this OECD link](https://data.oecd.org/chart/4z7D) we have the US General government debt. The value is close to 120% of GDP.

However, the [wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_of_the_United_States) has the US Federal Gov debt at 80%.

Why is there such a difference? What debt is being considered by the OECD, that is not by the wikipedia graph?

Any help would be appreciated

**Tags:** macroeconomics, government-debt


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-06-22. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

The OECD number includes intragovernmental debt, which is debt not held by the public, while the Wikipedia number does not. One of the largest of these debts (several trillion dollars) is related to Social Security, which is a debt owed by the federal government to the Social Security Trust Fund. A [review of the history of this debt and its implications](https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v75n1/v75n1p1.html) is available from the Social Security Administration.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-06-22. Score: -1

The difference between these is scope. The OECD data is looking at gross general government debt, whereas the Wikipedia article is stating federal government debt. The difference between the two is the OECD number includes state and local governments in addition to the federal government.
Hope this helps,
Spookypants

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: That's what I thought too however if you read carefully the wikipedia article it states that state and local governments are included in the number ...  

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