Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• The U.S. federal workforce is one of the largest in the world, but its size and composition differ significantly from those in other countries.
• Compared to other developed nations, the U.S. has a relatively small federal workforce relative to its population.
• The U.S. federal workforce is more educated and older than the general workforce, with unique demographic characteristics.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The U.S. federal workforce, comprising over 3 million employees, is a significant sector within the American economy. However, when compared globally, its structure and size reveal interesting contrasts.

Core Players

• U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – Oversees federal employment policies and data.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Provides employment data and statistics.
• Federal Agencies – Various departments such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security.

Key Numbers

• 3 million – Total number of federal workers, including Postal Service employees.
• 2.4 million – Number of federal workers excluding the Postal Service.
• 1.87% – Percentage of the civilian workforce that federal workers represent.
• $106,000 – Average annual salary of federal workers.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The comparison of the U.S. federal workforce with those in other countries is driven by the need to understand the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. Recent discussions about the size and role of President Trump have highlighted these comparisons.

For instance, while the U.S. has a large federal workforce, it represents a smaller percentage of the total workforce compared to many other developed countries.

Inside Forces

The U.S. federal workforce is characterized by its high level of education and older demographic profile. Nearly a third of federal workers hold a bachelor’s degree, and almost 22% have an advanced degree, which is higher than the overall civilian workforce.

The workforce also skews older, with 28.1% of federal workers aged 55 and older, compared to 23.6% of the overall workforce.

Power Dynamics

In contrast to many European countries, where the public sector is significantly larger, the U.S. has a more decentralized approach to public services. This is reflected in the smaller relative size of the federal workforce.

For example, countries like France and Germany have larger public sectors that account for a higher percentage of their total workforces.

Outside Impact

The structure of the federal workforce has broader implications for public services and policy implementation. A smaller federal workforce relative to the population can affect the delivery of services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare programs.

Additionally, the high education level and specialized skills of federal workers can influence the quality and efficiency of these services.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the composition and size of the federal workforce will likely be influenced by demographic changes, technological advancements, and shifting policy priorities. As the U.S. population grows and ages, the federal workforce may need to adapt to meet new demands.

Key areas for future reform include improving workforce diversity, leveraging technology for more efficient service delivery, and addressing the challenges of an aging workforce.

Data Points

• 2000: Federal employment, excluding the Postal Service, stood at 1,855,900.
• 2024: Federal employment, excluding the Postal Service, grew to 2,405,100.
• 53.8%: Percentage of federal workers who are male, slightly higher than the overall workforce.
• 18.6%: Percentage of federal workers who are Black, higher than the overall workforce.
• 10.5%: Percentage of federal workers who are Hispanic or Latino, lower than the overall workforce.