How much has the US government spent this fiscal year?
The US government has made a significant investment of $3.57 trillion during fiscal year 2025 to prioritize the welfare and prosperity of the American people.
$3,567,424,658,520
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The fiscal year (2025) is updated monthly based on the Monthly Treasury Statement (MTS) dataset.
The graph features an interactive graph that shows year-wise US government spending by year. Find out year-wise trends and gain valuable insights into the nation’s fiscal history at a glance.
USA Financial Data by Total Spending
The table below presents a detailed breakdown of key financial data in the United States, organized by fiscal year. It includes the record date and total spending, offering a comprehensive overview for analysis and reference.
| Fiscal Year | Record Date | Total Spending |
|---|---|---|
|
2025
(Projected Data)
|
2025-03-31 | $4,459,280,823,151 |
| 2024 | 2024-09-30 | $6,751,551,633,812 |
| 2023 | 2023-09-30 | $6,134,432,040,451 |
| 2022 | 2022-09-30 | $6,271,507,596,876 |
| 2021 | 2021-09-30 | $6,818,157,647,017 |
| 2020 | 2020-09-30 | $6,551,872,254,654 |
| 2019 | 2019-09-30 | $4,446,583,636,481 |
| 2018 | 2018-09-30 | $4,107,741,496,584 |
| 2017 | 2017-09-30 | $3,980,605,417,586 |
| 2016 | 2016-09-30 | $3,854,100,140,610 |
| 2015 | 2015-09-30 | $3,687,622,059,038 |
U.S. Government Spending, FYTD 2025
The U.S. federal government allocates its budget to a variety of programs and services that directly impact the American public and maintain the nation’s infrastructure and security.
Highlights
The U.S. federal government allocates its budget to a variety of programs and services that directly impact the American public and maintain the nation’s infrastructure and security. In Fiscal Year 2024, federal spending reached $6.75 trillion, which exceeded its revenue, resulting in a significant budget deficit.
Congress is responsible for drafting the federal budget and determining both discretionary and mandatory spending. The proposed budget is then signed into law by the President. Discretionary spending is voted on annually, while mandatory spending is guided by existing laws and includes programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Federal spending is primarily funded through tax revenue and borrowing. In Fiscal Year 2024, federal expenditures were equivalent to 23% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), reflecting its substantial role in the nation's economy.
Federal Spending Overview
Federal spending is essential for maintaining government operations, infrastructure, and public services. It supports programs like national defense, education, transportation, and healthcare while also covering interest payments on the national debt.
When the government spends more than it collects in revenue, it creates a budget deficit. Conversely, spending less than the revenue results in a budget surplus. In Fiscal Year 2024, the budget deficit was a significant factor due to higher expenditures.
Spending is measured in outlays, which represent actual payments made by the government. These differ from obligations, which are commitments to spend in the future.
Types of Federal Spending
1. Mandatory Spending
Mandatory spending, or direct spending, is determined by existing laws like the Social Security Act. This includes entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, which account for nearly two-thirds of total federal expenditures. These payments are automatic unless laws are amended.
2. Discretionary Spending
Discretionary spending is approved by Congress and the President annually. Over half of the discretionary budget typically funds national defense, while the remaining portion supports programs like housing, education, transportation, and scientific research.
3. Supplemental Appropriations
Supplemental spending is enacted for urgent needs outside the regular budget process. For example, Congress passed multiple supplemental appropriations during the COVID-19 pandemic to address public health and economic recovery efforts.
Federal Spending Process
Congress plays a critical role in determining the discretionary budget. The process involves:
- Drafting an annual budget.
- Reviewing and adjusting allocations for various departments and programs.
- Securing approval from the President.
Spending Categories
The federal budget is organized into 20 budget functions, each serving a distinct purpose. These functions include:
- National Defense
- Health and Medicare
- Transportation and Infrastructure
- Education and Training
- Science and Research
Federal spending covers everything from military equipment and highway maintenance to education initiatives and national park upkeep. In FY 2025, the top spending categories reflect a focus on defense, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Spending Trends Over Time
Federal spending trends fluctuate based on economic conditions, tax revenues, and national priorities. In periods of economic growth, tax revenue increases, potentially reducing the need for borrowing. However, during economic downturns or emergencies, spending often rises to support recovery efforts.
In FY 2022, federal spending equaled 23% of GDP, providing a measure of the government's role in the national economy. Comparing spending to GDP helps evaluate the scale of government activity relative to the country’s economic output.
Final Say
Federal spending plays a pivotal role in sustaining the economy and supporting citizens through programs, infrastructure, and public services. By understanding the sources and categories of federal expenditures, Americans can gain insight into how their tax dollars are utilized.
Everything you need to know about US Government Spending
What is Federal Spending?
The cost incurred by the American federal government to acquire goods and services for its citizens and economic growth is known as federal spending. The cost of paying interest on the nation's outstanding debt is another expenditure for the federal government. Because of this, the cost of interest often rises in direct ratio to the debt load.
Who Controls Federal Government Spending?
The United States Congress is largely responsible for controlling federal spending. According to the Constitution, Congress has the privilege to claim and allot funds for government projects, programs, and services. The financial process involves both the House of Representatives and the Senate in a substantial way. Annual appropriations bills must be authorized by Congress in order to fund various departments and operations of the government. Even while he can veto bills and provide budget proposals, the President ultimately depends on Congress to authorize and approve funding for the federal government.
What is Mandatory Spending in Federal Spending?
Mandatory spending refers to government expenses that are determined by laws and entitlement programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These programs provide benefits to eligible individuals, and the spending on them is required by law, without needing annual appropriations from Congress.
What is Discretionary Spending in Federal Spending?
Spending that is officially approved by Congress and the President each year during the budgetary process is known as discretionary spending. Congress typically invests more than 50 percent of the discretionary budget for national defense, leaving the remaining budgets to run other departments and programs. These initiatives include institutions dedicated to research and the environment as well as programs for housing, social services, education, and transportation.
What is Supplemental Spending in Federal Spending?
Supplemental spending refers to additional funding allocated by Congress outside of the regular budgetary process. It is typically used to address unforeseen or urgent needs, such as natural disasters, military operations, or economic stimulus measures. Supplemental spending is approved separately from the annual appropriations and is intended to supplement existing funding levels.
What are the Spending Trends over Time and the US Economy?
As per the statistic for the fiscal year 2022, we can notice that $6.27 trillion was spent by the federal government. This shows that in that particular year, the federal expenditure made up 25% of the whole GDP, or economic activity, of the United States. One of the main objectives for comparing federal spending to GDP is to acquire a bar for the ratio of federal spending to the entire national economic growth.