2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts

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Entitlement Spending Will More Than Double by 2050

Entitlements, fueled by demographic changes and rising heath care costs, will cause federal spending to explode. Medicaid spending will more than double, increasing from 1.5 percent of GDP in 2005 to 3.1 percent in 2050. Medicare spending will more than triple, increasing from 2.7 percent of GDP in 2005 to 8.9 percent in 2050.

Entitlement Spending as a Percentage of GDP

Entitlement Spending as a Percentage of GDP
 
Source: Congressional Budget Office.

Key Research:
Entitlements

The Long-Term Entitlement Spending and Deficit Problem Could Be Resolved Without Tax Increases



Entitlement Spending Will More Than Double by 2050



Entitlements Alone Will Eclipse Historical Tax Levels by 2052



If Tax Revenue Is Held At Historical Levels, Total Spending Could Reach 67 Percent of GDP



Obama's Budget Ignores Entitlement Crisis



The Ratio of Workers to Social Security Beneficiaries Is Declining



Repealing Tax Cuts and Not Fixing AMT Won't Balance the Budget



Social Security Spending Soon to Rise Rapidly



Tax Rates Would Need to More Than Double If Entitlements Are Not Reformed