WASHINGTON — The White House on Friday predicted that the government’s budget deficit for the soon-to-end fiscal year will hit $600 billion, an increase of $162 billion over last year’s tally and a reversal of a steady trend of large but improving deficits on President Barack Obama’s watch.

The disappointing figures, while expected, come after the deficit has steadily declined since the huge $1.4 trillion deficit Obama inherited after the deep 2007-09 recession and the associated fiscal crisis.

The improving economy, tax increases on higher-income earners and cuts to annual agency budgets have helped close the gap over Obama’s tenure. Many economists say the longer-term picture is troubling and warn that the rising debt will be a drag on the economy in the future.

The budget and economic update also officially downgrades the White House’s view of the economy, predicting growth of 2.2 percent this year instead of the 2.7 percent growth rate it predicted in its February budget. But it also says inflation will stay in check, predicting a 1.1 percent increase in consumer prices

Neither Democrat Hillary Clinton nor Republican Donald Trump has focused much on deficits and debt in their presidential campaigns, but the rising figures may lend more urgency to the issue.

Trump has promised huge tax cuts that analysts say would pour trillions of dollars of debt onto the government’s books. Clinton has promised tax increases on the wealthy but would turn around and spend the money on infrastructure, subsidizing college education and other initiatives.

Obama Friday again called for tax increases and minor curbs on health providers to close the deficit in the future.