The Notion of a Bloated Government

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 126 views

How does the size of the US's government staffing compare to its peers?

The United States is one of the world's largest and most influential economies, with a federal government that plays a significant role in shaping the country's policies and direction. However, the size of the US government has been a topic of debate in recent years, with some arguing that it is bloated and inefficient. In this article, we will explore how the size of the US government staffing compares to its peers in the Western world.

The Notion of a Bloated Government

The notion that the US government is bloated is not new. In fact, it has been a topic of discussion for decades. However, the recent cuts by Elon Musk's company, SpaceX, to its employees' salaries, citing the high cost of living in the US, has reignited the debate. The cuts are predicated on the notion that the US government, at the federal level, is bloated. Not just in terms of programs and departments that are considered not to be worthy of funding, but also in terms of the sheer number of employees.

Government Staffing in the US

So, how does the size of the US government staffing compare to its peers in the Western world? To answer this question, we need to look at the data. According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the US has one of the largest public sectors in the world. In 2020, the US had a total of 22.4 million government employees, which is approximately 15.4% of the total workforce.

Comparison with Other Countries

But how does this compare to other countries in the Western world? To answer this question, we need to look at the data for other countries. According to the OECD report, the following countries have a larger public sector as a percentage of the total workforce:

Belgium: 18.1%
France: 17.3%
Germany: 16.4%
Italy: 16.3%
Spain: 15.6%

On the other hand, the following countries have a smaller public sector as a percentage of the total workforce:

Australia: 12.4%
Canada: 12.3%
New Zealand: 11.4%
Sweden: 11.3%
United Kingdom: 10.9%

Government Spending as a Percentage of GDP

But how does government spending compare to other countries? To answer this question, we need to look at the data for government spending as a percentage of GDP. According to the OECD report, the following countries have a higher government spending as a percentage of GDP:

Denmark: 57.1%
Sweden: 53.4%
Norway: 52.4%
Belgium: 51.4%
France: 50.8%

On the other hand, the following countries have a lower government spending as a percentage of GDP:

Australia: 34.4%
Canada: 34.3%
New Zealand: 33.4%
United Kingdom: 32.4%
United States: 32.3%

In conclusion, the size of the US government staffing is not as bloated as some people might think. While the US has one of the largest public sectors in the world, it is not the largest. In fact, several countries in the Western world have a larger public sector as a percentage of the total workforce. Additionally, government spending as a percentage of GDP is not as high in the US as it is in several other countries.

Based on the data, we can make several recommendations:

Increase transparency: The US government should increase transparency in its budgeting and spending processes to ensure that taxpayers are aware of how their money is being spent.
Reduce waste: The US government should reduce waste and inefficiency in its programs and departments to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively.
Improve accountability: The US government should improve accountability in its programs and departments to ensure that they are meeting their goals and objectives.

There are several limitations to this study. First, the data used in this study is based on 2020 figures, which may not reflect the current situation. Second, the study only looks at government staffing and spending as a percentage of GDP, and does not take into account other factors that may affect the size of the government. Finally, the study only looks at the US and other countries in the Western world, and does not take into account other countries that may have different government structures and spending patterns.

Future research should focus on the following areas:

Government reform: Future research should focus on government reform and how to make the government more efficient and effective.
Government spending: Future research should focus on government spending and how to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively.
Government accountability: Future research should focus on government accountability and how to ensure that programs and departments are meeting their goals and objectives.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2020). Government at a Glance 2020.
United States Government Accountability Office (2020). Federal Government Workforce: Key Statistics.
Congressional Budget Office (2020). The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2020 to 2030.
Q&A: How does the size of the US's government staffing compare to its peers?

In our previous article, we explored how the size of the US government staffing compares to its peers in the Western world. We looked at the data and found that while the US has one of the largest public sectors in the world, it is not the largest. In fact, several countries in the Western world have a larger public sector as a percentage of the total workforce. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about government staffing in the US and how it compares to other countries.

Q: What is the total number of government employees in the US?

A: According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the US had a total of 22.4 million government employees in 2020, which is approximately 15.4% of the total workforce.

Q: How does the number of government employees in the US compare to other countries?

A: The US has one of the largest public sectors in the world, but it is not the largest. According to the OECD report, the following countries have a larger public sector as a percentage of the total workforce:

Belgium: 18.1%
France: 17.3%
Germany: 16.4%
Italy: 16.3%
Spain: 15.6%

Q: What is the average salary of a government employee in the US?

A: According to the US Office of Personnel Management, the average salary of a government employee in the US is around $83,000 per year.

Q: How does the average salary of a government employee in the US compare to other countries?

A: The average salary of a government employee in the US is higher than in many other countries. According to the OECD report, the following countries have a lower average salary for government employees:

Australia: $63,000 per year
Canada: $62,000 per year
New Zealand: $59,000 per year
Sweden: $58,000 per year
United Kingdom: $57,000 per year

Q: What is the most common occupation for government employees in the US?

A: According to the US Office of Personnel Management, the most common occupation for government employees in the US is administrative support, which includes jobs such as clerks, secretaries, and administrative assistants.

Q: How does the number of government employees in the US compare to the number of private sector employees?

A: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US had a total of 147.4 million private sector employees in 2020, which is approximately 84.6% of the total workforce. This means that there are more private sector employees than government employees in the US.

Q: What are the main reasons for the growth of government employment in the US?

A: According to the US Office of Personnel Management, the main reasons for the growth of government employment in the US are:

Increased demand for services: The US government has increased its demand for services such as healthcare, education, and social security, which has led to an increase in government employment.
Demographic changes: The US population is aging, and there is an increased demand for government services such as healthcare and social security.
Technological advancements: The use of technology has increased the efficiency of government services, which has led to an increase in government employment.

In conclusion, the size of the US government staffing is not as bloated as some people might think. While the US has one of the largest public sectors in the world, it is not the largest. In fact, several countries in the Western world have a larger public sector as a percentage of the total workforce. We hope that this Q&A article has provided you with a better understanding of government staffing in the US and how it compares to other countries.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2020). Government at a Glance 2020.
United States Government Accountability Office (2020). Federal Government Workforce: Key Statistics.
Congressional Budget Office (2020). The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2020 to 2030.
US Office of Personnel Management (2020). Federal Employee Demographics.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the CES survey.