Government has shrunk, not grown, as a percentage of U.S. population

In 1975, Gerald Ford, a Republican, was president of the United States. 1975 was 50 years ago — a half century. The U.S. civilian federal workforce was approximately 2.1 million. The population of the United States was 216 million. This made the federal workforce 1% of the U.S. population.

In 2024, Joe Biden, a Democrat, was president of the United States. The U.S. civilian workforce was 2.2 million. The population of the United States was 336 million. This made the federal workforce 0.66% of the U.S. population.

Over the past 50 years the U.S. government has added 100,000 civilian employees to respond to an increase in population of 120 million citizens.

Here’s my point: In real terms, there has been an effective reduction in the federal workforce over the past half century to meet the demands placed upon the government.

So, I’ll ask if we can cut thousands, perhaps millions of civilian federal workers and expect the continued services we wish? Can I count on my halibut IFQ permit being issued on time? Will our rural hospital continue to receive federal funding? Will NOAA continue to issue timely weather reports?

— Paul G. Southland