How Big is the Debt? Putting the debt in perspective The $3.5 trillion debt was about 34 of gdP in 2002 It has always been a large share of current GDP See Table 18.2 Servicing the debt comprised 8.5% of federal outlays in 2002 1010 How Big is the Debt? • Putting the debt in perspective – The $3.5 trillion debt was about 34% of GDP in 2002 – It has always been a large share of current GDP • See Table 18.2 • Servicing the debt comprised 8.5% of federal outlays in 2002