The National Debt Increased The Most Under These US Presidents

16. Harry S. Truman (in office from 1945-1953)
> Compound annual growth rate for years in office: 0.4% ($923.6 million)
> Overall change in national debt during presidency: +2.9% (+$7.4 billion)
> Total federal debt first year in office: $258.7 billion (113.5% of GDP)
> Total federal debt final year in office: $266.1 billion (68.4% of GDP)
> Party affiliation: Democratic

15. Dwight Eisenhower (in office from 1953-1961)
> Compound annual growth rate for years in office: 1.0% ($2.9 billion)
> Overall change in national debt during presidency: +8.6% (+$22.9 billion)
> Total federal debt first year in office: $266.1 billion (68.4% of GDP)
> Total federal debt final year in office: $289.0 billion (51.4% of GDP)
> Party affiliation: Republican

14. Lyndon Johnson (in office from 1963-1969)
> Compound annual growth rate for years in office: 2.5% ($8.0 billion)
> Overall change in national debt during presidency: +15.7% (+$47.9 billion)
> Total federal debt first year in office: $305.9 billion (48.0% of GDP)
> Total federal debt final year in office: $353.7 billion (34.8% of GDP)
> Party affiliation: Democratic

13. John F. Kennedy (in office from 1961-1963)
> Compound annual growth rate for years in office: 2.9% ($8.4 billion)
> Overall change in national debt during presidency: +5.8% (+$16.9 billion)
> Total federal debt first year in office: $289.0 billion (51.4% of GDP)
> Total federal debt final year in office: $305.9 billion (48.0% of GDP)
> Party affiliation: Democratic

12. William J. Clinton (in office from 1993-2001)
> Compound annual growth rate for years in office: 3.5% ($174.5 billion)
> Overall change in national debt during presidency: +31.6% (+$1.4 trillion)
> Total federal debt first year in office: $4.4 trillion (64.3% of GDP)
> Total federal debt final year in office: $5.8 trillion (54.9% of GDP)
> Party affiliation: Democratic