Government Overspending — Since January 1, 2026
The United States spends more on its military than the next ten countries combined. If the U.S. matched the world average (excluding itself), here is what we would save — and what that money could fund instead.
$0
and counting — updated in real time
$0.00000
estimated cost per U.S. taxpayer this year
U.S. spending: 3.40% of GDP
World average excluding the US: 2.10% of GDP
What this money could fund instead
0
Annual health insurance premiums covered (per person per year)
0
Homeless veterans housed for a year (per veteran per year)
0
Structurally deficient bridges repaired (per bridge)
0
Years of childcare for one child funded (per child per year)
0
Four-year college degrees paid in full (per degree)
0
Teacher salaries funded for one year (per teacher per year)
0
Pre-K seats funded for low-income children (per child per year)
0
Affordable rental homes built (per home)
0
Homes equipped with rooftop solar panels (per home)
0
Workers who could receive 12 weeks of paid family leave (per worker)
Data:
SIPRI Military Expenditure Database (2024)
US military spending of $997B represents 3.4% of GDP. World average excluding the US is 2.1% of GDP. At US GDP of $29.3T, matching the world average would cost $615B — a saving of $382B annually. The US accounts for 37% of all global military spending.
Government Overspending — Since January 1, 2026
The U.S. government spends 14.1% of GDP on healthcare through Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and CHIP — covering roughly 40% of the population. OECD peer governments average 7.0% of GDP while covering 100% of their populations. Here is what the difference costs American taxpayers.
The solution is not less government healthcare — it's better government healthcare. OECD countries cover everyone by negotiating drug prices aggressively and paying providers fairly, not extravagantly. The U.S. could do the same.
$0
and counting — updated in real time
$0.00000
estimated cost per U.S. taxpayer this year
U.S. spending: 14.10% of GDP
OECD average (government/compulsory spending): 7.00% of GDP
What this money could fund instead
0
Annual out-of-pocket medical costs eliminated (per person per year)
0
Insulin supplied to diabetic patients for a year (per patient per year)
0
Monthly Social Security checks covered (per recipient per month)
0
Community health center visits covered (per visit)
0
Mental health therapy sessions funded (per session)
0
Americans who could receive full health coverage (per person per year)
0
Residential drug rehabilitation programs funded (per person)
0
Pre-K seats funded for low-income children (per child per year)
0
Workers who could receive 12 weeks of paid family leave (per worker)
Data:
OECD Health Expenditure and Financing Database / CMS National Health Expenditure Accounts (2022)
US government/compulsory health spending was 14.1% of GDP in 2022 per
OECD data, representing Medicare, Medicaid, VA, CHIP, and federal/state employee coverage.
OECD average government/compulsory health spending is approximately 7.0% of GDP. Applied to 2022 US GDP of approximately $25.5T, the gap is roughly $1.8T. Applied to 2024 US GDP of $29.3T at same percentages, gap is approximately $2.08T annually.
Government Overspending — Since January 1, 2026
The United States incarcerates more people than any country on Earth — more than six times the typical rate of wealthy democracies. Government spending on corrections reflects that gap. Here is what matching the OECD average would save.
$0
and counting — updated in real time
$0.00000
estimated cost per U.S. taxpayer this year
U.S. spending: 0.60% of GDP
OECD / EU average: 0.20% of GDP
What this money could fund instead
0
People diverted to treatment instead of prison (per person per year)
0
Years of community college tuition covered (per student per year)
0
Reentry housing program slots funded (per person per year)
0
Public defenders funded for a year (per attorney per year)
0
Residential drug rehabilitation programs funded (per person)
0
Affordable rental homes built (per home)
0
Pre-K seats funded for low-income children (per child per year)
0
Job training programs funded for returning citizens (per person)
Data:
Bureau of Justice Statistics / Penal Reform International (2023)
US government corrections spending is approximately 0.6% of GDP (~$176B annually across federal, state, and local governments). EU/
OECD average is approximately 0.2% of GDP. The 0.4% gap applied to US GDP of $29.3T yields approximately $117B in annual excess spending.