These tables reflect measures of economic health in the United States at the beginning and end of Presidential terms of office. Measurements include per capita income, poverty, federal debt, and federal debt as a percent of GDP.
By any of these measures, the economy was more healthy during the Clinton Administration, which was marked by a Republican Congress and a Democratic Executive.
As these tables show, the total US debt is approaching unsustainable levels. The rapid rise in debt began in the Reagan adminstration.
| Per Capita Income1
|
|---|
| President |
Outgoing |
Incoming | Percent Change |
| Bush 43 | $25,036 (2005) | 25,200 (2001) | -0.1% |
| Clinton 42 | $25,331 (2000) | 20,989 (1993) | 20.7% |
| Bush 41 | $20,245 (1992) | 21,370 (1989) | -5.3% |
| Reagan 40 | $20,808 (1988) | 17,386 (1981) | 19.7% |
| Poverty2
|
|---|
| President |
Outgoing |
Incoming |
| Bush 43 | 5.2% (2006) | 4.8% (2001) |
| Clinton 42 | 4.5% (2000) | 6.2% (1993) |
| Bush 41 | 6.1% (1992) | 4.9% (1989) |
| Reagan 40 | 5.2% (1988) | 4.9% (1981) |
Gross Federal Debt3
Millions of Dollars |
|---|
| President |
Outgoing |
Incoming |
% Change |
| Bush 43 | $9,317,866 (2007 -e) | 5,769,881 (2001) | 61.5% |
| Clinton 42 | $5,628,700 (2000) | 4,351,044 (1993) | 29.4% |
| Bush 41 | $4,001,787 (1992) | 2,867,800 (1989) | 39.5% |
| Reagan 40 | $2,601,104 (1988) | 994,828 (1981) | 161.5% |
Federal Debt As % of GDP3
See Chart
|
|---|
| President |
Outgoing |
Incoming |
| Bush 43 | 70.2% (2007 -e) | 57.5% (2001) |
| Clinton 42 | 58.0% (2000) | 64.1% (1993) |
| Bush 41 | 60.6% (1992) | 53.1% (1989) |
| Reagan 40 | 51.9% (1988) | 32.5% (1981) |
Notes:
- Census Data, adjusted 2005 dollars
- Census Data, percent of people 50 percent below poverty rate
- White House Data, Gross Federal Debt, unadjusted dollars
