ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. We strive to foster change through exposing exploitation of the weak by the strong and the failures of those with power to vindicate the trust placed in them.
The Tab for Taxpayers on Gov't Bailouts
October 16, 2008 3:00 pm EDT
Last month, we charted the history of U.S. government bailouts. Below is the cost per household for each rescue (in terms of the initial outlays). Note, we have revised the figures for A.I.G. to reflect the additional government's new $37.8 billion loan to the company. All numbers are in 2008 dollars.
| Year | Cost Per Household in 2008 U.S. Dollars | |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | $51.20 |  |
| 1971 | $20.87 | |
| 1974 | $111.32 | |
| 1975 | $131.69 | |
| 1980 | $50.41 | |
| 1984 | $111.10 | |
| 1989 | $3,159.46 | |
| 2001 | $171.48 | |
| 2008 | $8,749.17 | |
Bailouts and the National Debt
We've also charted the national debt during each year a bailout occurred. Again all numbers are in 2008 dollars. Note: The national debt and corresponding bailout percentages for the years 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1980 and 1984 are all nearly identical, so we have averaged them in the first pie graph.
Jesse Nankin, Krista Kjellman and Jennifer LaFleur / ProPublica
© Copyright 2010 Pro Publica Inc.
FREE REPRINTS
Unless otherwise noted, you can republish our articles and graphics (but not our photographs) for free. You just have to credit us and link to us, and you can’t edit our material or sell it separately. (We're licensed under Creative Commons, which provides the legal details.)