US Federal Outlays FY2009

US federal outlays for fiscal year 2009 was $3.52 trillion, up 17.9% from FY2008.

Outlays are the total payments the federal government actually makes in a fiscal year, across mandatory programs, discretionary appropriations, and interest.

FY2009

$3.52 trillion

FY2008

$2.98 trillion

Year on year

+17.9%

Peak on record

$7.45 trillion

FY2026

Federal Outlays Over Time

FY2000–FY2026

Why Federal Outlays Matters

Outlays are dominated by mandatory spending — Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — plus net interest. That mix means the total is driven far more by demographics and interest rates than by the annual appropriations Congress votes on.

Federal Outlays by Fiscal Year

FY2026 FY2025 FY2024 FY2023 FY2022 FY2021 FY2020 FY2019 FY2018 FY2017 FY2016 FY2015 FY2014 FY2013 FY2012 FY2011 FY2010 FY2009 FY2008 FY2007 FY2006 FY2005 FY2004 FY2003 FY2002 FY2001 FY2000

Other Metrics for FY2009

Federal Deficit Federal Receipts Debt Held by the Public Net Interest

See the full FY2009 budget page, the federal overview, or all 50 state budgets.