Federal Spending Per Person Has Soared Nearly 10,000% Since 1916, Report Finds

Federal Government Spending Per Person Surges 9,800% Since 1916, While Americans Face Affordability Crisis

Despite record-high federal spending on citizens, Americans continue to struggle with an ongoing affordability crisis, according to a new report from fiscal watchdog group Open The Books. Their analysis reveals that per capita government spending has skyrocketed by 9,800% over the past century, raising questions about the effectiveness of increased public expenditure.

In 1916, the federal government spent an average of $208.36 per person in today’s dollars. That figure has climbed “almost uninterrupted” to reach $20,474.19 per person currently, according to the group’s research.

The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan government agency, estimates that federal spending reached a record $7.035 trillion in Fiscal Year 2025.

“While American families and businesses find a way to do more with less, government does less with more,” said John Hart, CEO of Open The Books, in an interview. “Today’s federal government is 98 times bigger per person than it was just over a century ago.”

For context, the government’s current per capita spending amounts to approximately $82,000 for a family of four—nearly equal to the median household income in 2024, which was $83,730. This level of spending significantly exceeds what average American families typically spend on basic necessities like housing and food.

According to data cited in the report, the Department of Agriculture recommends families of four spend between $12,000 and $20,000 annually on groceries, while Rocket Mortgage reports the average annual mortgage payment in 2025 is just under $28,000.

The stark contrast between government spending and household budgets comes as many Americans report feeling financially squeezed despite living in the world’s largest economy.

Recent efforts to curb federal spending have made minimal impact relative to the overall budget. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk during the early part of Donald Trump’s second term, identified discretionary spending cuts totaling approximately $150 billion. Additionally, congressional Republicans passed a July rescission package that saved around $9 billion.

However, these savings represent a small fraction of mandatory spending programs. In 2024, Medicare expenditures totaled approximately $912 billion, while Social Security payments amounted to $1.5 trillion.

Open The Books has also highlighted how government spending has outpaced growth in staffing levels. A separate report from the organization found that while the Department of Education has reduced staff numbers since 2000, the agency’s spending has increased by 749% over the same period.

The dramatic rise in per capita spending raises important questions about fiscal responsibility, government efficiency, and the burden of national debt on current and future generations.

“Much of the spending growth is now predestined as Americans are forced to service an extraordinary national debt. But taxpayers should also scrutinize all aspects of federal spending,” Open The Books wrote in their per-capita spending report.

The organization questioned whether quality of life, affordability, or innovation had improved proportionately with increased government expenditure, promising to continue investigating government spending practices throughout 2026.

“Has quality of life, affordability, or innovation improved along with per capita spending? Aside from interest, what else is the government buying that it wasn’t before, back when we were building ourselves into a global superpower?” the report asked.

Hart concluded with a stark assessment: “The best affordability and stimulus program imaginable is to reduce the waste, fraud and central planning in government. Every dollar saved in Washington is a dream realized somewhere in America.”