This statistic shows the Index of Dependence on Government in the United States from 1980 to 2010. The index has increased from 100 to 294 between 1980, the base year, and 2010.
The Index of Dependence on Government measures how much federal social programs have grown. The index consists of five components: Housing assistance, health care and welfare programs, retirement programs, higher education assistance, and rural and agricultural services.
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Index of Dependence on Government* in the United States from 1980 to 2010
Characteristic
Index value*
2010
294
2009
272
2008
239
2007
237
2006
261
2005
237
2004
224
2003
223
2002
206
2001
183
2000
179
1999
172
1998
171
020406080100120140160180200220240260280300320340
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* The Index of Dependence on Government measures how much federal social programs have grown. The index consists of five components: Housing assistance, health care and welfare programs, retirement programs, higher education assistance, and rural and agricultural services. These government programs are identified as contributing to dependence on government.
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The Heritage Foundation. (February 8, 2012). Index of Dependence on Government* in the United States from 1980 to 2010 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/220672/index-of-dependence-on-government-in-the-us/
The Heritage Foundation. "Index of Dependence on Government* in the United States from 1980 to 2010." Chart. February 8, 2012. Statista. Accessed June 13, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/220672/index-of-dependence-on-government-in-the-us/
The Heritage Foundation. (2012). Index of Dependence on Government* in the United States from 1980 to 2010. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 13, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/220672/index-of-dependence-on-government-in-the-us/
The Heritage Foundation. "Index of Dependence on Government* in The United States from 1980 to 2010." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Feb 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/220672/index-of-dependence-on-government-in-the-us/
The Heritage Foundation, Index of Dependence on Government* in the United States from 1980 to 2010 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/220672/index-of-dependence-on-government-in-the-us/ (last visited June 13, 2025)
Index of Dependence on Government* in the United States from 1980 to 2010 [Graph], The Heritage Foundation, February 8, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/220672/index-of-dependence-on-government-in-the-us/
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