Passage: Spending during the years Reagan budgeted (FY 1982–89) averaged 21.6% GDP, roughly tied with President Obama for the highest among any recent President. Each faced a severe recession early in their administration. In addition, the public debt rose from 26% GDP in 1980 to 41% GDP by 1988. In dollar terms, the public debt rose from $712 billion in 1980 to $2.052 trillion in 1988, a roughly three-fold increase.  The unemployment rate rose from 7% in 1980 to 11% in 1982, then declined to 5% in 1988. The inflation rate declined from 10% in 1980 to 4% in 1988.
How many fiscal years did Reagan budget? How many percentage points did the inflation rate decline between 1980 and 1988? How many percentage points did the unemployment rate rise between 1980 and 1982? How many percentage points of GDP did the public debt rise between 1980 and 1988? How many years did Reagan budget? How many years did it take for the inflation rate to decline from 10% to 4%? How many years did it take for the public debt to go from $712 billion to $2.052 trillion? What year was the unemployment rate the highest?