<P> From 1991 to 2011, mandatory spending grew from 10.1 percent to 13.6 percent of GDP, according to figures from the Congressional Budget Office . This spending is expected to continue to increase as a share of GDP . According to the conservative Heritage Foundation, spending on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will rise from 8.7% of GDP in 2010, to 11.0% by 2020 and to 18.1% by 2050 . </P> <P> Since the federal government has historically collected about 18.4% of GDP in tax revenues, this means these three mandatory programs may absorb all federal revenues sometime around 2050 . Unless these long - term fiscal imbalances are addressed by reforms to these programs, raising taxes or drastic cuts in discretionary programs, the federal government will at some point be unable to pay its obligations without significant risk to the value of the dollar (inflation). </P> <P> According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2011 49.1% of the U.S. population lived in a household where at least one household member received a government benefit including Social Security and Medicare . This figure represented an increase from 30% in the early 1980s and 44.4% in 2008 . While federal outlay for welfare was reduced by half since 1996, programs such as food stamps have seen increases in spending . In 2012, 35% of the U.S. population lived in a household that received government benefits, counting only means - tested programs such as food stamps, housing assistance and Medicaid . </P> <P> Mandatory programs are affected by demographic trends . The number of workers continues declining relative to those receiving benefits . For example, the number of workers per retiree was 5.1 in 1960; this declined to 3.3 in 2007 and is projected to decline to 2.1 by 2040 . According to census data for 2011, 16% of the population lived in a household where at least one individual received Social Security and 15% lived in a household where at least one individual received Medicare . From 2012 to 2027, approximately 78 million individuals will retire and begin receiving Social Security and Medicare . </P>

What percent of us budget goes to entitlements