Current Account Balance: United States
United States's current account balance is currently -3.6 % of GDP as of 2026. # United States Current Account Balance The U.
Current (2026)
-3.6 % of GDP
+10.0% y/y
Peak (1981)
0.2 % of GDP
Low (2006)
-5.9 % of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Current Account Balance — United States
1980 — 2026
Current Account Balance — United States
Analysis# United States Current Account Balance
The U.S. current account deficit stands at -3.6% of GDP in 2026, reflecting persistent trade imbalances and capital flows. This figure sits well below the all-time peak of 0.2% in 1981 and above the worst performance of -5.9% in 2006. Since 1980, the metric has deteriorated by 3,700%, demonstrating a fundamental shift in America's international economic position toward chronic deficits.
The deficit widened significantly from 2020 onward, reaching -4.0% in both 2024 and 2025 before narrowing slightly to -3.6% in 2026. The period from 2017 through 2019 showed relative stability around -2%, but the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shifts accelerated the downward trend. Current projections suggest modest improvement ahead, though the deficit is expected to remain substantially negative through 2030, indicating structural imbalances in U.S. trade and investment flows.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | -3.5 % of GDP | +2.78% |
| 2029 | -3.6 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2028 | -3.6 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2027 | -3.6 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2026 | -3.6 % of GDP | +10.00% |
| 2025 | -4 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2024 | -4 % of GDP | -21.21% |
| 2023 | -3.3 % of GDP | +13.16% |
| 2022 | -3.8 % of GDP | -5.56% |
| 2021 | -3.6 % of GDP | -28.57% |
| 2020 | -2.8 % of GDP | -33.33% |
| 2019 | -2.1 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2018 | -2.1 % of GDP | -10.53% |
| 2017 | -1.9 % of GDP | +9.52% |
| 2016 | -2.1 % of GDP | +4.55% |
| 2015 | -2.2 % of GDP | -4.76% |
| 2014 | -2.1 % of GDP | -5.00% |
| 2013 | -2 % of GDP | +23.08% |
| 2012 | -2.6 % of GDP | +10.34% |
| 2011 | -2.9 % of GDP | +0.00% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | -2.9 % of GDP | -11.54% |
| 2009 | -2.6 % of GDP | +44.68% |
| 2008 | -4.7 % of GDP | +7.84% |
| 2007 | -5.1 % of GDP | +13.56% |
| 2006 | -5.9 % of GDP | -3.51% |
| 2005 | -5.7 % of GDP | -9.62% |
| 2004 | -5.2 % of GDP | -13.04% |
| 2003 | -4.6 % of GDP | -9.52% |
| 2002 | -4.2 % of GDP | -13.51% |
| 2001 | -3.7 % of GDP | +5.13% |
| 2000 | -3.9 % of GDP | -30.00% |
| 1999 | -3 % of GDP | -25.00% |
| 1998 | -2.4 % of GDP | -50.00% |
| 1997 | -1.6 % of GDP | -6.67% |
| 1996 | -1.5 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 1995 | -1.5 % of GDP | +11.76% |
| 1994 | -1.7 % of GDP | -41.67% |
| 1993 | -1.2 % of GDP | -50.00% |
| 1992 | -0.8 % of GDP | — |
| 1991 | 0 % of GDP | +100.00% |
| 1990 | -1.3 % of GDP | +27.78% |
| 1989 | -1.8 % of GDP | +21.74% |
| 1988 | -2.3 % of GDP | +30.30% |
| 1987 | -3.3 % of GDP | -3.12% |
| 1986 | -3.2 % of GDP | -18.52% |
| 1985 | -2.7 % of GDP | -17.39% |
| 1984 | -2.3 % of GDP | -109.09% |
| 1983 | -1.1 % of GDP | -450.00% |
| 1982 | -0.2 % of GDP | -200.00% |
| 1981 | 0.2 % of GDP | +100.00% |
| 1980 | 0.1 % of GDP | — |
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