National Priorities Project Bringing the Federal Budget Home

Charts

Federal outlays and revenues, 1930-2015 as a percentage of the GDP

The following chart shows federal outlays and revenues from 1930 to the proposed levels in 2015 as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). Gross domestic product is a measurement of the size of the economy. Viewing federal spending and revenues as a percentage of GDP indicates how large or small government is in relation to the economy.

Source: Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2011, Historical Table 1.2