Historical Budget Data and budget projections · spending by category, as a share of GDP

What does the US federal government spend its money on?

Name: Federal spending by category, as a share of GDP, each year
Creator: Congressional Budget Office
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As of 4 October 2026, the Congressional Budget Office's newest data has federal spending at 23.1% of GDP in fiscal 2025, with net interest at 3.2%.

Main programsOther spendingNet interest

Federal spending as a share of GDP: all spending, Social Security and Medicare

Fiscal 1962 to Fiscal 2025As the Congressional Budget Office publishes them, February 2026 release

All10Y

FromTo

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%19701980199020002010202023.1%5.2%3.9%

1962 All spending 18.2% Social Security 2.4% Medicare no value1963 All spending 18.0% Social Security 2.5% Medicare no value1964 All spending 17.9% Social Security 2.5% Medicare no value1965 All spending 16.7% Social Security 2.4% Medicare no value1966 All spending 17.2% Social Security 2.6% Medicare no value1967 All spending 18.8% Social Security 2.5% Medicare 0.4%1968 All spending 19.8% Social Security 2.6% Medicare 0.6%1969 All spending 18.7% Social Security 2.7% Medicare 0.6%1970 All spending 18.7% Social Security 2.8% Medicare 0.6%1971 All spending 18.8% Social Security 3.1% Medicare 0.7%1972 All spending 19.0% Social Security 3.2% Medicare 0.7%1973 All spending 18.2% Social Security 3.6% Medicare 0.7%1974 All spending 18.2% Social Security 3.7% Medicare 0.7%1975 All spending 20.7% Social Security 4.0% Medicare 0.9%1976 All spending 20.8% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 0.9%1977 All spending 20.2% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 1.0%1978 All spending 20.2% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 1.1%1979 All spending 19.6% Social Security 4.0% Medicare 1.1%1980 All spending 21.2% Social Security 4.2% Medicare 1.2%1981 All spending 21.6% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 1.3%1982 All spending 22.5% Social Security 4.6% Medicare 1.5%1983 All spending 22.9% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 1.6%1984 All spending 21.6% Social Security 4.5% Medicare 1.5%1985 All spending 22.2% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 1.6%1986 All spending 21.9% Social Security 4.3% Medicare 1.6%1987 All spending 21.1% Social Security 4.3% Medicare 1.7%1988 All spending 20.7% Social Security 4.2% Medicare 1.7%1989 All spending 20.6% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 1.7%1990 All spending 21.2% Social Security 4.2% Medicare 1.8%1991 All spending 21.7% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 1.9%1992 All spending 21.5% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 2.0%1993 All spending 20.8% Social Security 4.5% Medicare 2.1%1994 All spending 20.4% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 2.2%1995 All spending 20.0% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 2.3%1996 All spending 19.6% Social Security 4.4% Medicare 2.4%1997 All spending 18.9% Social Security 4.3% Medicare 2.5%1998 All spending 18.5% Social Security 4.2% Medicare 2.4%1999 All spending 18.0% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 2.2%2000 All spending 17.7% Social Security 4.0% Medicare 2.1%2001 All spending 17.7% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 2.3%2002 All spending 18.6% Social Security 4.2% Medicare 2.3%2003 All spending 19.2% Social Security 4.2% Medicare 2.4%2004 All spending 19.1% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 2.5%2005 All spending 19.3% Social Security 4.0% Medicare 2.6%2006 All spending 19.5% Social Security 4.0% Medicare 2.8%2007 All spending 19.1% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 3.0%2008 All spending 20.2% Social Security 4.1% Medicare 3.1%2009 All spending 24.3% Social Security 4.7% Medicare 3.5%2010 All spending 23.2% Social Security 4.7% Medicare 3.5%2011 All spending 23.3% Social Security 4.7% Medicare 3.6%2012 All spending 21.9% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.4%2013 All spending 20.7% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.5%2014 All spending 20.1% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.4%2015 All spending 20.3% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.5%2016 All spending 20.7% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.7%2017 All spending 20.6% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.6%2018 All spending 20.1% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.4%2019 All spending 20.9% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.6%2020 All spending 30.7% Social Security 5.1% Medicare 4.3%2021 All spending 29.6% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.8%2022 All spending 24.5% Social Security 4.7% Medicare 3.8%2023 All spending 22.4% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.7%2024 All spending 23.3% Social Security 5.0% Medicare 3.6%2025 All spending 23.1% Social Security 5.2% Medicare 3.9%

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%2016201820202022202423.1%5.2%3.9%

2015 All spending 20.3% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.5%2016 All spending 20.7% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.7%2017 All spending 20.6% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.6%2018 All spending 20.1% Social Security 4.8% Medicare 3.4%2019 All spending 20.9% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.6%2020 All spending 30.7% Social Security 5.1% Medicare 4.3%2021 All spending 29.6% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.8%2022 All spending 24.5% Social Security 4.7% Medicare 3.8%2023 All spending 22.4% Social Security 4.9% Medicare 3.7%2024 All spending 23.3% Social Security 5.0% Medicare 3.6%2025 All spending 23.1% Social Security 5.2% Medicare 3.9%

The lines

All spending23.1%
Social Security5.2%
Medicare3.9%

Federal spending as a share of GDP: Medicaid, defense and nondefense discretionary

Fiscal 1962 to Fiscal 2025As the Congressional Budget Office publishes them, February 2026 release

All10Y

FromTo

0.0%5.0%7.5%10.0%1970198019902000201020202.2%2.9%3.2%

1962 Medicaid 0.0% Defense 9.0% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%1963 Medicaid 0.0% Defense 8.7% Nondefense discretionary 3.5%1964 Medicaid 0.0% Defense 8.3% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%1965 Medicaid 0.0% Defense 7.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.8%1966 Medicaid 0.1% Defense 7.6% Nondefense discretionary 4.0%1967 Medicaid 0.1% Defense 8.6% Nondefense discretionary 4.1%1968 Medicaid 0.2% Defense 9.2% Nondefense discretionary 4.0%1969 Medicaid 0.2% Defense 8.4% Nondefense discretionary 3.5%1970 Medicaid 0.3% Defense 7.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.7%1971 Medicaid 0.3% Defense 7.1% Nondefense discretionary 3.9%1972 Medicaid 0.4% Defense 6.5% Nondefense discretionary 4.0%1973 Medicaid 0.3% Defense 5.7% Nondefense discretionary 3.9%1974 Medicaid 0.4% Defense 5.4% Nondefense discretionary 3.9%1975 Medicaid 0.4% Defense 5.5% Nondefense discretionary 4.4%1976 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 5.0% Nondefense discretionary 4.8%1977 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 4.8% Nondefense discretionary 4.9%1978 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 4.6% Nondefense discretionary 5.0%1979 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 4.6% Nondefense discretionary 4.8%1980 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 4.8% Nondefense discretionary 5.1%1981 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 5.0% Nondefense discretionary 4.8%1982 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 5.6% Nondefense discretionary 4.2%1983 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 5.9% Nondefense discretionary 4.1%1984 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 5.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.8%1985 Medicaid 0.5% Defense 5.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.8%1986 Medicaid 0.6% Defense 6.1% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%1987 Medicaid 0.6% Defense 5.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.4%1988 Medicaid 0.6% Defense 5.7% Nondefense discretionary 3.4%1989 Medicaid 0.6% Defense 5.5% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%1990 Medicaid 0.7% Defense 5.1% Nondefense discretionary 3.4%1991 Medicaid 0.9% Defense 5.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.5%1992 Medicaid 1.1% Defense 4.7% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%1993 Medicaid 1.1% Defense 4.3% Nondefense discretionary 3.7%1994 Medicaid 1.1% Defense 3.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%1995 Medicaid 1.2% Defense 3.6% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%1996 Medicaid 1.2% Defense 3.3% Nondefense discretionary 3.4%1997 Medicaid 1.1% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%1998 Medicaid 1.1% Defense 3.0% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%1999 Medicaid 1.1% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2000 Medicaid 1.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%2001 Medicaid 1.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%2002 Medicaid 1.4% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%2003 Medicaid 1.4% Defense 3.6% Nondefense discretionary 3.7%2004 Medicaid 1.5% Defense 3.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.7%2005 Medicaid 1.4% Defense 3.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.7%2006 Medicaid 1.3% Defense 3.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%2007 Medicaid 1.3% Defense 3.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.5%2008 Medicaid 1.4% Defense 4.1% Nondefense discretionary 3.5%2009 Medicaid 1.7% Defense 4.5% Nondefense discretionary 4.0%2010 Medicaid 1.8% Defense 4.6% Nondefense discretionary 4.4%2011 Medicaid 1.8% Defense 4.5% Nondefense discretionary 4.2%2012 Medicaid 1.6% Defense 4.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.8%2013 Medicaid 1.6% Defense 3.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.5%2014 Medicaid 1.7% Defense 3.4% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%2015 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%2016 Medicaid 2.0% Defense 3.1% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%2017 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.0% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2018 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.0% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2019 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2020 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 3.3% Nondefense discretionary 4.3%2021 Medicaid 2.3% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.9%2022 Medicaid 2.3% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%2023 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%2024 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%2025 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%

0.0%4.0%6.0%201620182020202220242.2%2.9%3.2%

2015 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%2016 Medicaid 2.0% Defense 3.1% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%2017 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.0% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2018 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.0% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2019 Medicaid 1.9% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2020 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 3.3% Nondefense discretionary 4.3%2021 Medicaid 2.3% Defense 3.2% Nondefense discretionary 3.9%2022 Medicaid 2.3% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.6%2023 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%2024 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.3%2025 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%

The lines

Medicaid2.2%
Defense2.9%
Nondefense discretionary3.2%

Net interest as a share of GDP, each fiscal year

Fiscal 1962 to Fiscal 2025As the Congressional Budget Office publishes them, February 2026 release

All10Y

FromTo

0.0%1.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%1970198019902000201020203.2%

1962 · 1.2%1963 · 1.3%1964 · 1.2%1965 · 1.2%1966 · 1.2%1967 · 1.2%1968 · 1.2%1969 · 1.3%1970 · 1.4%1971 · 1.3%1972 · 1.3%1973 · 1.3%1974 · 1.4%1975 · 1.4%1976 · 1.5%1977 · 1.5%1978 · 1.6%1979 · 1.7%1980 · 1.9%1981 · 2.2%1982 · 2.6%1983 · 2.5%1984 · 2.8%1985 · 3.0%1986 · 3.0%1987 · 2.9%1988 · 3.0%1989 · 3.0%1990 · 3.1%1991 · 3.2%1992 · 3.1%1993 · 2.9%1994 · 2.8%1995 · 3.1%1996 · 3.0%1997 · 2.9%1998 · 2.7%1999 · 2.4%2000 · 2.2%2001 · 2.0%2002 · 1.6%2003 · 1.4%2004 · 1.3%2005 · 1.4%2006 · 1.7%2007 · 1.7%2008 · 1.7%2009 · 1.3%2010 · 1.3%2011 · 1.5%2012 · 1.4%2013 · 1.3%2014 · 1.3%2015 · 1.2%2016 · 1.3%2017 · 1.4%2018 · 1.6%2019 · 1.8%2020 · 1.6%2021 · 1.5%2022 · 1.9%2023 · 2.4%2024 · 3.0%2025 · 3.2%

Each point is one fiscal year of the Congressional Budget Office's historical budget data, as CBO publishes it. Pointing at the chart shows the fiscal year and the value.

Select a line to follow

All spending23.1%
Social Security5.2%
Medicare3.9%
Medicaid2.2%
Defense2.9%
Nondefense discretionary3.2%
Net interest3.2%

Inspect and compare years

The newest fiscal year beside the fiscal year before it and earlier ones. Every fiscal year is in the table under "The numbers behind the chart".

Federal spending by category, as a share of GDP: the newest fiscal year beside earlier ones
Measure	Latest, fiscal 2025	The year before, fiscal 2024	Five years earlier, fiscal 2020	Ten years earlier, fiscal 2015
All spending	23.1%	23.3%	30.7%	20.3%
Social Security	5.2%	5.0%	5.1%	4.9%
Medicare	3.9%	3.6%	4.3%	3.5%
Medicaid	2.2%	2.1%	2.1%	1.9%
Defense	2.9%	2.9%	3.3%	3.2%
Nondefense discretionary	3.2%	3.3%	4.3%	3.2%
Net interest	3.2%	3.0%	1.6%	1.2%

The table scrolls sideways; the first column stays in place.

Observed 4 Oct 2026.

Right nowThe comparison is ours

Total federal spending as a share of GDP was 23.1% in fiscal 2025, the lowest since fiscal 2023 (ours).

Social Security as a share of GDP was 5.2% in fiscal 2025, the highest since our record begins in fiscal 1962 (ours).

Medicare as a share of GDP was 3.9% in fiscal 2025, the highest since fiscal 2020 (ours).

See every fiscal year since 1962

Where each line standsThe comparison is ours

Each line in its newest fiscal year, the fiscal year before and the last fiscal year it was higher and lower than in the newest (ours)
Measure	Newest	Value	Year before	Last higher	Last lower
All spending	Fiscal 2025	23.1%	23.3%	Fiscal 2024	Fiscal 2023
Social Security	Fiscal 2025	5.2%	5.0%	None since fiscal 1962	Fiscal 2024
Medicare	Fiscal 2025	3.9%	3.6%	Fiscal 2020	Fiscal 2024
Medicaid	Fiscal 2025	2.2%	2.1%	Fiscal 2023	Fiscal 2024
Defense	Fiscal 2025	2.9%	2.9%	Fiscal 2023	Fiscal 2024
Nondefense discretionary	Fiscal 2025	3.2%	3.3%	Fiscal 2024	Fiscal 2019
Net interest	Fiscal 2025	3.2%	3.0%	None since fiscal 1962	Fiscal 2024

The table scrolls sideways; the first column stays in place.

See every fiscal year of every line

CBO's ten-year budget baselineNot our forecast

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's ten-year budget baseline, February 2026 release, stored here on 4 October 2026. These are CBO's estimates, not ours.

Main programsOther spendingNet interest

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's ten-year baseline: all spending, Social Security and Medicare

Fiscal 2025 to Fiscal 2036Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release. Not our forecast

FromTo

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%20262028203020322034203624.4%5.9%5.2%

2025 All spending 23.1% Social Security 5.2% Medicare 3.9%2026 All spending 23.3% Social Security 5.2% Medicare 4.0%2027 All spending 23.3% Social Security 5.3% Medicare 4.1%2028 All spending 23.5% Social Security 5.4% Medicare 4.4%2029 All spending 23.2% Social Security 5.5% Medicare 4.1%2030 All spending 23.5% Social Security 5.6% Medicare 4.4%2031 All spending 23.6% Social Security 5.6% Medicare 4.5%2032 All spending 23.8% Social Security 5.7% Medicare 4.6%2033 All spending 24.3% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.1%2034 All spending 24.2% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.0%2035 All spending 23.9% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.8%2036 All spending 24.4% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 5.2%

The lines

All spending24.4%
Social Security5.9%
Medicare5.2%

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's ten-year baseline: Medicaid, defense and nondefense discretionary

Fiscal 2025 to Fiscal 2036Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release. Not our forecast

FromTo

0.0%1.0%3.0%4.0%2026202820302032203420362.1%2.4%2.4%

2025 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.9% Nondefense discretionary 3.2%2026 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.8% Nondefense discretionary 3.1%2027 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.7% Nondefense discretionary 2.9%2028 Medicaid 2.2% Defense 2.7% Nondefense discretionary 2.9%2029 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.6% Nondefense discretionary 2.8%2030 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.6% Nondefense discretionary 2.7%2031 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.5% Nondefense discretionary 2.7%2032 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.5% Nondefense discretionary 2.6%2033 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.5% Nondefense discretionary 2.6%2034 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.4% Nondefense discretionary 2.5%2035 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.4% Nondefense discretionary 2.5%2036 Medicaid 2.1% Defense 2.4% Nondefense discretionary 2.4%

The lines

Medicaid2.1%
Defense2.4%
Nondefense discretionary2.4%

Net interest as a share of GDP in CBO's ten-year baseline

Fiscal 2025 to Fiscal 2036Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release. Not our forecast

FromTo

Each point is one fiscal year of the Congressional Budget Office's February 2026 release: CBO's estimate, or a fiscal year it counts as actual. Not our forecast. Pointing at the chart shows the fiscal year and the value.

Select a line to follow

All spending24.4%
Social Security5.9%
Medicare5.2%
Medicaid2.1%
Defense2.4%
Nondefense discretionary2.4%
Net interest4.6%

The numbers as a table

Observed 4 Oct 2026.

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's ten-year budget baseline, February 2026 release: the realised fiscal year and the first and last fiscal year it projects. CBO's estimates, not ours
Measure	Fiscal 2025, actual	Fiscal 2026	Fiscal 2036
All spending	23.1%	23.3%	24.4%
Social Security	5.2%	5.2%	5.9%
Medicare	3.9%	4.0%	5.2%
Medicaid	2.2%	2.2%	2.1%
Defense	2.9%	2.8%	2.4%
Nondefense discretionary	3.2%	3.1%	2.4%
Net interest	3.2%	3.3%	4.6%
All spending in dollars	$7,010 billion	$7,449 billion	$11,416 billion
Net interest in dollars	$970 billion	$1,039 billion	$2,144 billion

See every fiscal year of this release

CBO's long-term budget projectionsNot our forecast

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections, February 2026 release, stored here on 4 October 2026. These are CBO's estimates, not ours.

Main programsOther spending

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's long-term projections: all spending, Social Security and Medicare

Fiscal 2026 to Fiscal 2056Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release. Not our forecast

FromTo

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%20302035204020452050205527.9%6.0%5.5%

2026 All spending 23.3% Social Security 5.2% Medicare 3.3%2027 All spending 23.3% Social Security 5.3% Medicare 3.4%2028 All spending 23.2% Social Security 5.4% Medicare 3.5%2029 All spending 23.5% Social Security 5.5% Medicare 3.6%2030 All spending 23.5% Social Security 5.6% Medicare 3.6%2031 All spending 23.6% Social Security 5.6% Medicare 3.7%2032 All spending 23.8% Social Security 5.7% Medicare 3.8%2033 All spending 23.9% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 3.9%2034 All spending 24.2% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.0%2035 All spending 24.3% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.1%2036 All spending 24.4% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 4.2%2037 All spending 24.5% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 4.3%2038 All spending 24.7% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 4.4%2039 All spending 24.8% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 4.5%2040 All spending 24.9% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.6%2041 All spending 25.1% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.7%2042 All spending 25.3% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.7%2043 All spending 25.5% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.8%2044 All spending 25.7% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.9%2045 All spending 25.8% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 4.9%2046 All spending 26.0% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.0%2047 All spending 26.2% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.1%2048 All spending 26.4% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.1%2049 All spending 26.6% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.2%2050 All spending 26.7% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.2%2051 All spending 26.9% Social Security 5.8% Medicare 5.3%2052 All spending 27.2% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 5.3%2053 All spending 27.3% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 5.3%2054 All spending 27.5% Social Security 5.9% Medicare 5.4%2055 All spending 27.7% Social Security 6.0% Medicare 5.4%2056 All spending 27.9% Social Security 6.0% Medicare 5.5%

The lines

All spending27.9%
Social Security6.0%
Medicare5.5%

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's long-term projections: Medicaid and CHIP, discretionary and net interest

Fiscal 2026 to Fiscal 2056Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release. Not our forecast

FromTo

0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%2030203520402045205020552.6%4.6%6.9%

2026 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 5.9% Net interest 3.3%2027 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 5.6% Net interest 3.3%2028 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 5.5% Net interest 3.5%2029 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 5.4% Net interest 3.7%2030 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 5.3% Net interest 3.8%2031 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 5.2% Net interest 4.0%2032 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 5.1% Net interest 4.1%2033 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 5.0% Net interest 4.3%2034 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 4.9% Net interest 4.4%2035 Medicaid and CHIP 2.4% Discretionary 4.9% Net interest 4.5%2036 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.8% Net interest 4.6%2037 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.7% Net interest 4.7%2038 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.7% Net interest 4.8%2039 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.7% Net interest 4.9%2040 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.0%2041 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.1%2042 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.2%2043 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.3%2044 Medicaid and CHIP 2.5% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.4%2045 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.6%2046 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.7%2047 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.8%2048 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 5.9%2049 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.0%2050 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.1%2051 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.3%2052 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.4%2053 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.5%2054 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.7%2055 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.8%2056 Medicaid and CHIP 2.6% Discretionary 4.6% Net interest 6.9%

The lines

Medicaid and CHIP2.6%
Discretionary4.6%
Net interest6.9%

Select a line to follow

All spending27.9%
Social Security6.0%
Medicare5.5%
Medicaid and CHIP2.6%
Discretionary4.6%
Net interest6.9%

The numbers as a table

Observed 4 Oct 2026.

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections, February 2026 release: the first and last fiscal year it projects. CBO's estimates, not ours
Measure	Fiscal 2026	Fiscal 2056
All spending	23.3%	27.9%
Social Security	5.2%	6.0%
Medicare	3.3%	5.5%
Medicaid and CHIP	2.6%	2.6%
Discretionary	5.9%	4.6%
Net interest	3.3%	6.9%

See every fiscal year of this release

Understanding federal spending

Where it stands today

Total federal spending as a share of GDP was 23.1% in fiscal 2025.

What do these figures measure?

Federal spending, in the historical budget data of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), is split into mandatory spending, which existing laws set and which does not need a yearly vote (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and others), discretionary spending, which Congress sets each year (defense and everything else), and net interest on the federal debt.

Each line is shown as a share of GDP, the value of what the US economy produces in a year, so that years of different size can be compared. A fiscal year runs from 1 October to 30 September and takes the number of the year it ends in: fiscal 2025 began on 1 October 2024.

Medicare is shown before the premiums and other receipts that offset part of it; CBO counts those on a line of their own.

What 500metrics adds: the newest year beside the year before, the last year with a higher and a lower value, and CBO's own projections, each in a box under its name and the month of its release.

The numbers behind the chart

What was each line in each fiscal year?64 fiscal years, newest first; as the Congressional Budget Office publishes them

Federal spending by category, as a share of GDP, by fiscal year, newest first (Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid (% of GDP)	Defense (% of GDP)	Nondefense discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)
Fiscal 2025	23.1	5.2	3.9	2.2	2.9	3.2	3.2
Fiscal 2024	23.3	5.0	3.6	2.1	2.9	3.3	3.0
Fiscal 2023	22.4	4.9	3.7	2.2	2.9	3.3	2.4
Fiscal 2022	24.5	4.7	3.8	2.3	2.9	3.6	1.9
Fiscal 2021	29.6	4.9	3.8	2.3	3.2	3.9	1.5
Fiscal 2020	30.7	5.1	4.3	2.1	3.3	4.3	1.6
Fiscal 2019	20.9	4.9	3.6	1.9	3.2	3.1	1.8
Fiscal 2018	20.1	4.8	3.4	1.9	3.0	3.1	1.6
Fiscal 2017	20.6	4.8	3.6	1.9	3.0	3.1	1.4
Fiscal 2016	20.7	4.9	3.7	2.0	3.1	3.2	1.3
Fiscal 2015	20.3	4.9	3.5	1.9	3.2	3.2	1.2
Fiscal 2014	20.1	4.8	3.4	1.7	3.4	3.3	1.3

Show 52 more rows

Federal spending by category, as a share of GDP, by fiscal year, newest first (Congressional Budget Office, February 2026 release) (continued)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid (% of GDP)	Defense (% of GDP)	Nondefense discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)
Fiscal 2013	20.7	4.8	3.5	1.6	3.8	3.5	1.3
Fiscal 2012	21.9	4.8	3.4	1.6	4.2	3.8	1.4
Fiscal 2011	23.3	4.7	3.6	1.8	4.5	4.2	1.5
Fiscal 2010	23.2	4.7	3.5	1.8	4.6	4.4	1.3
Fiscal 2009	24.3	4.7	3.5	1.7	4.5	4.0	1.3
Fiscal 2008	20.2	4.1	3.1	1.4	4.1	3.5	1.7
Fiscal 2007	19.1	4.1	3.0	1.3	3.8	3.5	1.7
Fiscal 2006	19.5	4.0	2.8	1.3	3.8	3.6	1.7
Fiscal 2005	19.3	4.0	2.6	1.4	3.8	3.7	1.4
Fiscal 2004	19.1	4.1	2.5	1.5	3.8	3.7	1.3
Fiscal 2003	19.2	4.2	2.4	1.4	3.6	3.7	1.4
Fiscal 2002	18.6	4.2	2.3	1.4	3.2	3.6	1.6
Fiscal 2001	17.7	4.1	2.3	1.2	2.9	3.3	2.0
Fiscal 2000	17.7	4.0	2.1	1.2	2.9	3.2	2.2
Fiscal 1999	18.0	4.1	2.2	1.1	2.9	3.1	2.4
Fiscal 1998	18.5	4.2	2.4	1.1	3.0	3.2	2.7
Fiscal 1997	18.9	4.3	2.5	1.1	3.2	3.3	2.9
Fiscal 1996	19.6	4.4	2.4	1.2	3.3	3.4	3.0
Fiscal 1995	20.0	4.4	2.3	1.2	3.6	3.6	3.1
Fiscal 1994	20.4	4.4	2.2	1.1	3.9	3.6	2.8
Fiscal 1993	20.8	4.5	2.1	1.1	4.3	3.7	2.9
Fiscal 1992	21.5	4.4	2.0	1.1	4.7	3.6	3.1
Fiscal 1991	21.7	4.4	1.9	0.9	5.2	3.5	3.2
Fiscal 1990	21.2	4.2	1.8	0.7	5.1	3.4	3.1
Fiscal 1989	20.6	4.1	1.7	0.6	5.5	3.3	3.0
Fiscal 1988	20.7	4.2	1.7	0.6	5.7	3.4	3.0
Fiscal 1987	21.1	4.3	1.7	0.6	5.9	3.4	2.9
Fiscal 1986	21.9	4.3	1.6	0.6	6.1	3.6	3.0
Fiscal 1985	22.2	4.4	1.6	0.5	5.9	3.8	3.0
Fiscal 1984	21.6	4.5	1.5	0.5	5.8	3.8	2.8
Fiscal 1983	22.9	4.8	1.6	0.5	5.9	4.1	2.5
Fiscal 1982	22.5	4.6	1.5	0.5	5.6	4.2	2.6
Fiscal 1981	21.6	4.4	1.3	0.5	5.0	4.8	2.2
Fiscal 1980	21.2	4.2	1.2	0.5	4.8	5.1	1.9
Fiscal 1979	19.6	4.0	1.1	0.5	4.6	4.8	1.7
Fiscal 1978	20.2	4.1	1.1	0.5	4.6	5.0	1.6
Fiscal 1977	20.2	4.1	1.0	0.5	4.8	4.9	1.5
Fiscal 1976	20.8	4.1	0.9	0.5	5.0	4.8	1.5
Fiscal 1975	20.7	4.0	0.9	0.4	5.5	4.4	1.4
Fiscal 1974	18.2	3.7	0.7	0.4	5.4	3.9	1.4
Fiscal 1973	18.2	3.6	0.7	0.3	5.7	3.9	1.3
Fiscal 1972	19.0	3.2	0.7	0.4	6.5	4.0	1.3
Fiscal 1971	18.8	3.1	0.7	0.3	7.1	3.9	1.3
Fiscal 1970	18.7	2.8	0.6	0.3	7.8	3.7	1.4
Fiscal 1969	18.7	2.7	0.6	0.2	8.4	3.5	1.3
Fiscal 1968	19.8	2.6	0.6	0.2	9.2	4.0	1.2
Fiscal 1967	18.8	2.5	0.4	0.1	8.6	4.1	1.2
Fiscal 1966	17.2	2.6	n/a	0.1	7.6	4.0	1.2
Fiscal 1965	16.7	2.4	n/a	0.0	7.2	3.8	1.2
Fiscal 1964	17.9	2.5	n/a	0.0	8.3	3.6	1.2
Fiscal 1963	18.0	2.5	n/a	0.0	8.7	3.5	1.3
Fiscal 1962	18.2	2.4	n/a	0.0	9.0	3.3	1.2

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What does CBO's ten-year budget baseline give for each fiscal year?February 2026 release, CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's ten-year budget baseline, February 2026 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid (% of GDP)	Defense (% of GDP)	Nondefense discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)	All spending in dollars ($ billion)	Net interest in dollars ($ billion)
Fiscal 2025, actual	23.1	5.2	3.9	2.2	2.9	3.2	3.2	7,010	970
Fiscal 2026	23.3	5.2	4.0	2.2	2.8	3.1	3.3	7,449	1,039
Fiscal 2027	23.3	5.3	4.1	2.2	2.7	2.9	3.3	7,772	1,108
Fiscal 2028	23.5	5.4	4.4	2.2	2.7	2.9	3.5	8,151	1,218
Fiscal 2029	23.2	5.5	4.1	2.1	2.6	2.8	3.7	8,340	1,324
Fiscal 2030	23.5	5.6	4.4	2.1	2.6	2.7	3.8	8,796	1,432
Fiscal 2031	23.6	5.6	4.5	2.1	2.5	2.7	4.0	9,155	1,548
Fiscal 2032	23.8	5.7	4.6	2.1	2.5	2.6	4.1	9,569	1,670
Fiscal 2033	24.3	5.8	5.1	2.1	2.5	2.6	4.3	10,172	1,784
Fiscal 2034	24.2	5.8	5.0	2.1	2.4	2.5	4.4	10,487	1,904
Fiscal 2035	23.9	5.8	4.8	2.1	2.4	2.5	4.5	10,751	2,019
Fiscal 2036	24.4	5.9	5.2	2.1	2.4	2.4	4.6	11,416	2,144

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How did CBO's estimate change from one release to the next?CBO's ten-year budget baseline: Feb 2026, Jan 2025, Jun 2024; CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's ten-year budget baseline: each line in the last fiscal year that every release of it gives, release by release (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Measure	Fiscal year	Feb 2026 release	Jan 2025 release	Jun 2024 release
All spending in dollars	Fiscal 2034	10,487	10,306	10,320
Net interest in dollars	Fiscal 2034	1,904	1,694	1,710

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What did CBO's January 2025 release give for each fiscal year?CBO's ten-year budget baseline, an earlier release; CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's ten-year budget baseline, January 2025 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Fiscal year	All spending in dollars ($ billion)	Net interest in dollars ($ billion)
Fiscal 2024, actual	6,750	881
Fiscal 2025	7,028	952
Fiscal 2026	7,294	1,010
Fiscal 2027	7,622	1,075
Fiscal 2028	8,019	1,164
Fiscal 2029	8,228	1,247
Fiscal 2030	8,689	1,328
Fiscal 2031	9,067	1,417
Fiscal 2032	9,477	1,514
Fiscal 2033	10,042	1,605
Fiscal 2034	10,306	1,694
Fiscal 2035	10,563	1,783

What did CBO's June 2024 release give for each fiscal year?CBO's ten-year budget baseline, an earlier release; CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's ten-year budget baseline, June 2024 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Fiscal year	All spending in dollars ($ billion)	Net interest in dollars ($ billion)
Fiscal 2023, actual	6,135	658
Fiscal 2024	6,805	892
Fiscal 2025	6,975	1,016
Fiscal 2026	7,244	1,061
Fiscal 2027	7,512	1,084
Fiscal 2028	7,886	1,136
Fiscal 2029	8,082	1,199
Fiscal 2030	8,547	1,278
Fiscal 2031	8,944	1,373
Fiscal 2032	9,387	1,484
Fiscal 2033	9,998	1,594
Fiscal 2034	10,320	1,710

What does CBO's long-term budget projections give for each fiscal year?February 2026 release, CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections, February 2026 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid and CHIP (% of GDP)	Discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)
Fiscal 2026	23.3	5.2	3.3	2.6	5.9	3.3
Fiscal 2027	23.3	5.3	3.4	2.5	5.6	3.3
Fiscal 2028	23.2	5.4	3.5	2.5	5.5	3.5
Fiscal 2029	23.5	5.5	3.6	2.4	5.4	3.7
Fiscal 2030	23.5	5.6	3.6	2.4	5.3	3.8
Fiscal 2031	23.6	5.6	3.7	2.4	5.2	4.0
Fiscal 2032	23.8	5.7	3.8	2.4	5.1	4.1
Fiscal 2033	23.9	5.8	3.9	2.4	5.0	4.3
Fiscal 2034	24.2	5.8	4.0	2.4	4.9	4.4
Fiscal 2035	24.3	5.8	4.1	2.4	4.9	4.5
Fiscal 2036	24.4	5.9	4.2	2.5	4.8	4.6
Fiscal 2037	24.5	5.9	4.3	2.5	4.7	4.7

Show 19 more rows

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections, February 2026 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours) (continued)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid and CHIP (% of GDP)	Discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)
Fiscal 2038	24.7	5.9	4.4	2.5	4.7	4.8
Fiscal 2039	24.8	5.9	4.5	2.5	4.7	4.9
Fiscal 2040	24.9	5.8	4.6	2.5	4.6	5.0
Fiscal 2041	25.1	5.8	4.7	2.5	4.6	5.1
Fiscal 2042	25.3	5.8	4.7	2.5	4.6	5.2
Fiscal 2043	25.5	5.8	4.8	2.5	4.6	5.3
Fiscal 2044	25.7	5.8	4.9	2.5	4.6	5.4
Fiscal 2045	25.8	5.8	4.9	2.6	4.6	5.6
Fiscal 2046	26.0	5.8	5.0	2.6	4.6	5.7
Fiscal 2047	26.2	5.8	5.1	2.6	4.6	5.8
Fiscal 2048	26.4	5.8	5.1	2.6	4.6	5.9
Fiscal 2049	26.6	5.8	5.2	2.6	4.6	6.0
Fiscal 2050	26.7	5.8	5.2	2.6	4.6	6.1
Fiscal 2051	26.9	5.8	5.3	2.6	4.6	6.3
Fiscal 2052	27.2	5.9	5.3	2.6	4.6	6.4
Fiscal 2053	27.3	5.9	5.3	2.6	4.6	6.5
Fiscal 2054	27.5	5.9	5.4	2.6	4.6	6.7
Fiscal 2055	27.7	6.0	5.4	2.6	4.6	6.8
Fiscal 2056	27.9	6.0	5.5	2.6	4.6	6.9

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How did CBO's estimate change from one release to the next?CBO's long-term budget projections: Feb 2026, Mar 2025; CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections: each line in the last fiscal year that every release of it gives, release by release (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Measure	Fiscal year	Feb 2026 release	Mar 2025 release
All spending	Fiscal 2055	27.7	26.6
Social Security	Fiscal 2055	6.0	6.1
Medicare	Fiscal 2055	5.4	5.2
Medicaid and CHIP	Fiscal 2055	2.6	2.9
Discretionary	Fiscal 2055	4.6	5.1
Net interest	Fiscal 2055	6.8	5.4

What did CBO's March 2025 release give for each fiscal year?CBO's long-term budget projections, an earlier release; CBO's estimates, not ours

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections, March 2025 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid and CHIP (% of GDP)	Discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)
Fiscal 2025	23.3	5.2	3.1	2.7	6.1	3.2
Fiscal 2026	23.3	5.3	3.2	2.7	6.1	3.2
Fiscal 2027	23.4	5.4	3.3	2.7	6.0	3.3
Fiscal 2028	23.4	5.5	3.3	2.7	5.9	3.4
Fiscal 2029	23.8	5.6	3.4	2.7	5.8	3.6
Fiscal 2030	23.9	5.7	3.5	2.7	5.7	3.6
Fiscal 2031	24.0	5.8	3.6	2.7	5.6	3.7
Fiscal 2032	24.1	5.8	3.7	2.7	5.5	3.9
Fiscal 2033	24.2	5.9	3.8	2.7	5.5	3.9
Fiscal 2034	24.3	5.9	3.9	2.7	5.4	4.0
Fiscal 2035	24.4	6.0	4.0	2.7	5.3	4.1
Fiscal 2036	24.5	6.0	4.1	2.7	5.2	4.1

Show 19 more rows

Congressional Budget Office, CBO's long-term budget projections, March 2025 release, by fiscal year (CBO's estimates, not ours) (continued)
Fiscal year	All spending (% of GDP)	Social Security (% of GDP)	Medicare (% of GDP)	Medicaid and CHIP (% of GDP)	Discretionary (% of GDP)	Net interest (% of GDP)
Fiscal 2037	24.5	6.0	4.2	2.7	5.2	4.1
Fiscal 2038	24.6	6.0	4.3	2.8	5.1	4.2
Fiscal 2039	24.7	6.0	4.4	2.8	5.1	4.2
Fiscal 2040	24.8	5.9	4.4	2.8	5.1	4.3
Fiscal 2041	24.8	5.9	4.5	2.8	5.1	4.3
Fiscal 2042	25.0	5.9	4.6	2.8	5.1	4.4
Fiscal 2043	25.1	5.9	4.6	2.8	5.1	4.5
Fiscal 2044	25.2	5.9	4.7	2.8	5.1	4.5
Fiscal 2045	25.3	5.9	4.8	2.8	5.1	4.6
Fiscal 2046	25.4	5.9	4.8	2.9	5.1	4.7
Fiscal 2047	25.6	5.9	4.9	2.9	5.1	4.8
Fiscal 2048	25.7	5.9	4.9	2.9	5.1	4.8
Fiscal 2049	25.8	5.9	5.0	2.9	5.1	4.9
Fiscal 2050	25.9	5.9	5.0	2.9	5.1	5.0
Fiscal 2051	26.1	5.9	5.0	2.9	5.1	5.1
Fiscal 2052	26.2	6.0	5.1	2.9	5.1	5.2
Fiscal 2053	26.3	6.0	5.1	2.9	5.1	5.3
Fiscal 2054	26.5	6.0	5.1	2.9	5.1	5.3
Fiscal 2055	26.6	6.1	5.2	2.9	5.1	5.4

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What do these figures leave out, and how are they cited?Limits, dates and how to cite

What this number cannot tell you

Net interest is the interest the government pays on its debt less the interest it receives.
The lines shown do not add up to all spending: CBO's data has other programs and offsetting receipts, which this page leaves out.
CBO restates earlier years when the Bureau of Economic Analysis revises GDP and when CBO updates its historical data. The history here is the newest release we hold, and the page says which.
CBO's projections assume that current law stays as it is. They are CBO's estimates, not ours, and each box names the CBO release it comes from.
Earlier releases of CBO's projections are kept in the tables, so that one year can be compared across releases. A release that gives fewer than five years of a measure is left out.

Observed 4 Oct 2026. Checked 4 Oct 2026, 08:48 UTC.

How to cite this

Congressional Budget Office, Historical Budget Data and budget projections, February 2026 release; CBO's ten-year budget baseline, February 2026 release; CBO's long-term budget projections, February 2026 release. Compiled by 500metrics, "What does the US federal government spend its money on?", https://500metrics.com/treasury/federal-spending.

Can the data be downloaded?treasury-federal-spending.csv

Download every year and every CBO release as CSV: 971 rows, 30 September 1962 to 30 September 2056, 130,062 bytes.

Our text and compilation: CC BY 4.0.

Page updated 28 Oct 2026, 07:16 UTC

Federal spending as a share of GDP: all spending, Social Security and Medicare

Federal spending as a share of GDP: Medicaid, defense and nondefense discretionary

Net interest as a share of GDP, each fiscal year

Right nowThe comparison is ours

Where each line standsThe comparison is ours

CBO's ten-year budget baselineNot our forecast

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's ten-year baseline: all spending, Social Security and Medicare

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's ten-year baseline: Medicaid, defense and nondefense discretionary

Net interest as a share of GDP in CBO's ten-year baseline

CBO's long-term budget projectionsNot our forecast

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's long-term projections: all spending, Social Security and Medicare

Federal spending as a share of GDP in CBO's long-term projections: Medicaid and CHIP, discretionary and net interest

Understanding federal spending

What do these figures measure?

The numbers behind the chart

What this number cannot tell you

How to cite this

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