per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: per unit of population : by or for each person

the highest income per capita of any state in the union

2

: equally to each individual

Synonyms

• all
• apiece
• each
• per

Examples of per capita in a Sentence

we expect the students to receive less funding per capita this year due to a marked increase in the school-age population

Recent Examples on the Web

House Republicans are reportedly considering several proposals, including imposing a per capita cap on federal Medicaid spending and imposing Medicaid work requirements. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025

On a per capita basis, California’s gross domestic product is greater than the economies of the U.S., China, Germany, and Japan. —Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

Those accomplishments included what may be the lowest homicide rate per capita in the city’s history, an increase in the median household income, funding for programs for disadvantaged youth and investments in infrastructure, like $60 million in federal funding for the Underdeck project. —Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

The findings showcased a remarkable return on investment, with most procedures proving cost-effective at levels significantly below the national GDP per capita. —William Jones, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈkap-ət-ə 

: by or for each person

per capita income

Legal Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: equally to each individual

all property to pass to the descendants per capita

—used of a method of distributing an especially intestate estate compare per stirpes

Note: Per capita distribution of an estate provides each descendant with an equal share of the estate's assets regardless of the degree of his or her kinship. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., all receive equal shares.

2

: per unit of population : by or for each individual

a high per capita tax burden

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads