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How much does the government spend, really?
The [government's spending]([link removed]) depends on the revenue it collects through taxes, customs duties, and other sources. Of course, it often spends more money than it brings in. When this happens, the government borrows funds, contributing to the national debt.
- In FY 2023 (October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023), the federal government spent about $6.2 trillion, or about $18,400 per person. This was down 8.5% from the previous fiscal year but up 15.9% from FY 2019.
[Pie chart of federal spending]([link removed])
- In FY 2023, about 58% of federal spending went to three major spending priorities: Social Security ($1.4 trillion), defense ($1.1 trillion), and transfers to state and local governments (also $1.1 trillion).
- Medicare accounted for 14% while interest on the debt accounted for another 11%. Meanwhile, 18% went to a large grouping of “other” programs, ranging from $31 billion for Pell Grants to $124 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (often called “food stamps”) and $17 billion on technology infrastructure.
- From 1980 to 2023, federal spending grew 2.8 times while the US population grew about 1.5 times. The takeaway? The federal government is spending more per person than it did years ago.
[Explore spending data]([link removed])
The least efficient government programs
Thirty-seven government spending priorities are considered highly vulnerable to [fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement]([link removed]), according to the independent, nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO provides this information in an effort to help save taxpayers money. Here’s an overview of the GAO’s process and what’s on its watchlist.
- Since 1990, the GAO has produced a list of federal programs at high risk for financial issues and in need of reform. These issues can, among other things, threaten the nation's public health or safety, national security, and economic growth. The GAO might also include programs at risk of losing at least $1 billion.
[Number of programs on the GAO's high-risk list annually]([link removed])
- This year’s list of 37 programs included improving and modernizing federal disability programs, NASA’s acquisition management, Health and Human Services’ leadership
of public health emergencies, and contract management at the Defense Department.
- The GAO highlighted five areas in particular need of attention:
- National cybersecurity
- Government responses to drug abuse
- Federal food safety oversight
- Government liability for environmental cleanup
- Managing fiscal risks associated with climate change
- The list included 14 high-risk programs in 1990. The GAO has added 53 programs since then and removed 29 after they demonstrated adequate improvement.
- According to the GAO, Congressional and agency actions addressing high-risk areas saved the government an estimated $100 billion between 2021 and 2023.
[More about the GAO’s findings]([link removed])
Data behind the news
Authorities are saying that the firearm used to kill UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson was a ghost gun, meaning it was made privately and lacks the serial numbers typically used to trace firearms. The number of ghost guns sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has [more than tripled]([link removed]) since 2019.
A rebel group assumed control of the Syrian government. Civil war has raged across the country for more than 13 years. From 2011 to 2023, [Syria ranked sixth highest for refugees]([link removed]) coming to the United States.
See how much you know about government data with the [weekly fact quiz]([link removed]).
One last fact
[What cities have the highest inflation rate?]([link removed])
In October, New York City had the nation’s highest inflation rate at 4.0%, followed by Chicago (3.5%) and Baltimore (3.4%).
Phoenix had the lowest rate, at 1.6%, followed by Atlanta (1.9%) and Houston (2.1%).
New inflation data just came out last week. [Click here]([link removed]) to see how the cities included in the new Consumer Price Index report are faring now.
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