An In-Depth View on Government Spending
Government spending has risen 88% over the past decade, and it is projected to continue to grow. In this analysis, we take an in-depth look at how taxpayer dollars are being allocated and spent across various sectors.
Federal Spending Overview
In fiscal year 2023, the federal government spent $6.1 trillion, amounting to 22.7 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). About nine-tenths of the total went toward federal programs, with the remainder going toward interest payments on federal debt. Of that $6.1 trillion, over $4.4 trillion was financed by federal revenues, with the remaining amount financed through borrowing.
Three Major Areas of Spending
Health Insurance Programs (24% - $1.6 trillion)
Four major health insurance programs dominated this category:
- Medicare: $848 billion, serving 65.7 million people
- Medicaid and CHIP: $633 billion
- ACA Subsidies: $91 billion
Notable trends include Medicaid enrollment declining from pandemic-era highs of 93.9 million to 82.8 million by March 2024. Meanwhile, ACA marketplace coverage has seen significant growth, with 20.8 million enrollees during the 2024 open enrollment period.
Social Security (21% - $1.4 trillion)
Social Security provided critical support to:
- 49.1 million retired workers (average monthly benefit: $1,833)
- 2.7 million spouses and children of retired workers
- 5.9 million surviving children and spouses
- 8.7 million disabled workers and dependents
Defense (13% - $820 billion)
Approximately 95% of defense spending went to the Department of Defense, covering:
- Operations and maintenance
- Military personnel
- Weapons procurement
- Research, development, testing, and evaluation
Other Significant Expenditures
Economic Security Programs (8% - $545 billion)
These programs provide vital support through:
- Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
- Unemployment insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Nutrition assistance programs
- Housing assistance
- Child care support
Veterans and Federal Retirees (7% - $481 billion)
Supporting:
- 18 million veterans
- 2.2 million retired career military personnel
- 2.7 million federal civil service retirees
Interest Payments and Debt
Interest payments on federal debt reached $658 billion in 2023 (10% of the budget), reflecting a total federal debt of $23.7 trillion by fiscal year end. These costs stem from accumulated deficits and surpluses since the nation's founding.
Looking Forward
Projections indicate federal outlays will reach $6.94 trillion in 2024. While discussions about government spending often focus on costs, it's crucial to evaluate the public services and investments these programs provide against their financial impact.
When assessing federal spending, we must consider both the costs that taxes impose and the benefits the nation receives from these expenditures. This balanced approach helps inform better policy decisions and public understanding of federal fiscal matters.