Real interest rate — all countries

Real interest rate — United States

Real interest rate in the United States in 2021 — -1.26%. Ranked 78 in the world out of 109. Since 1961, the indicator has fallen by 4.36 pp.

2021 -1.26% −3.43 pp vs 2020
World rank 78of 109
Period maximum 8.59%1981
Period minimum -1.28%1975

Trend over time

1961–2021 · % per annum

Real interest rate — United States, 1961–2021-2.502.557.510196119671973197919851991199720032009201520211961: 3.11%1963: 3.37%1965: 2.57%1967: 2.41%1969: 2.85%1971: 0.62%1973: 2.41%1975: -1.28%1977: 0.58%1979: 4.03%1981: 8.59%1983: 6.62%1985: 6.56%1987: 5.59%1989: 6.69%1991: 4.92%1993: 3.55%1995: 6.59%1997: 6.6%1999: 6.49%2001: 4.57%2003: 2.11%2005: 2.96%2007: 5.2%2009: 2.62%2011: 1.16%2013: 1.52%2015: 2.31%2017: 2.27%2019: 3.57%2021: -1.26%
Change over the period: −4.36 pp Annual average: -0.07 pp
Real interest rate — United States, by year United States All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2021 -1.26 −3.43 pp
2020 2.17 −1.4 pp
2019 3.57 +1.02 pp
2018 2.55 +0.29 pp
2017 2.27 −0.27 pp
2016 2.54 +0.23 pp
2015 2.31 +0.83 pp
2014 1.48 −0.04 pp
2013 1.52 +0.16 pp
2012 1.36 +0.2 pp
2011 1.16 −0.85 pp
2010 2.01 −0.61 pp
2009 2.62 −0.48 pp
2008 3.1 −2.1 pp
2007 5.2 +0.47 pp
2006 4.73 +1.77 pp
2005 2.96 +1.35 pp
2004 1.61 −0.5 pp
2003 2.11 −0.97 pp
2002 3.07 −1.49 pp
2001 4.57 −2.25 pp
2000 6.81 +0.33 pp
1999 6.49 −0.66 pp
1998 7.15 +0.55 pp
1997 6.6 +0.28 pp
1996 6.32 −0.27 pp
1995 6.59 +1.7 pp
1994 4.9 +1.35 pp
1993 3.55 −0.34 pp
1992 3.88 −1.03 pp
1991 4.92 −1.12 pp
1990 6.04 −0.65 pp
1989 6.69 +1.1 pp
1988 5.59 +0 pp
1987 5.59 −0.61 pp
1986 6.19 −0.37 pp
1985 6.56 −1.58 pp
1984 8.14 +1.52 pp
1983 6.62 −1.56 pp
1982 8.18 −0.42 pp
1981 8.59 +2.88 pp
1980 5.72 +1.68 pp
1979 4.03 +2.14 pp
1978 1.89 +1.31 pp
1977 0.58 −0.69 pp
1976 1.27 +2.55 pp
1975 -1.28 −2.93 pp
1974 1.65 −0.76 pp
1973 2.41 +1.53 pp
1972 0.88 +0.26 pp
1971 0.62 −1.89 pp
1970 2.51 −0.34 pp
1969 2.85 +0.99 pp
1968 1.86 −0.54 pp
1967 2.41 −0.24 pp
1966 2.65 +0.08 pp
1965 2.57 −0.39 pp
1964 2.95 −0.42 pp
1963 3.37 +0.16 pp
1962 3.22 +0.11 pp
1961 3.11

About the indicator

The lending interest rate adjusted for inflation by the GDP deflator. It shows the real cost of borrowed funds for the economy. Negative values mean that inflation erodes debt faster than interest accrues on it — a situation that favors borrowers and works against lenders and depositors.

Important: There are no aggregates for country groups: a weight by the volume of credit is needed, and we do not have it. The rate is already net of inflation, so negative values are normal — they mean borrowing costs less than inflation erodes.

Source: World Economic Outlook (IMF), license IMF open data.