U.S. federal, state, and local governments are spending $6.3 trillion per year, or an average of $50,000 for every household in the United States. This money is distributed as follows:
- 61% on social programs, like income security, healthcare, and education
- 14% on debt service and general government, such as interest payments, legislator salaries, and tax collection
- 12% on national defense and veterans’ benefits
- 6% on public order and safety, such as police, fire, courts, prisons, and immigration enforcement
- 5% on economic affairs, like transportation, labor affairs, agriculture, natural resources, energy, and space
Source: Just Facts