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

Several states rely heavily on federal funding to support their Medicaid programs, largely due to lower per capita incomes and higher poverty rates. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Connecticut ranks as one of the most indebted states per capita in the nation and is expected to be paying off its pension woes well into the 2040s. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025

WalletHub scored each state on factors that impact the affordability and quality of driving, such as auto repair shops and car washes per capita and rates of car theft and larceny. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025

An uncanny number of millionaires drive up the per capita income of Los Angeles County each year, but the region’s diverse economy reflects various walks of life. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 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