Which Modern President Led the Most Fiscally Responsible Government? Change in Deficit (Surplus) by Year Average Annual Change in Deficit (Surplus) by President Average Annual Change in Deficit (Surplus) by Party
  • All figures in billions of dollars
  • Up is bad, down is good
  • Presidents are attributed to fiscal years that begin during their term
  • Data Source: Congressional Budget Office (cbo.gov)
    • Legend Total Annual Deficit (Surplus) Decrease in Annual Deficit Increase in Annual Deficit