📈 Social Benefits Reach 45% of U.S. Government Expenditures in 2024

Social benefits as a share of U.S. government current expenditures rose to 44.8% in 2024, up from 18.8% in 1960, 30.7% in 1980, and 34.9% in 2000. Total social benefits spending reached $4.44 trillion in 2024, with Social Security accounting for $1.48 trillion (14.6% of total expenditures), Medicare at $1.08 trillion (10.9%), and Medicaid at $0.93 trillion (9.4%).