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

Michigan's retail theft per capita is 15.7% lower than the average among states. —Mike Snider, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2024

However, the violent crime rate per capita has fluctuated during this period, with recent increases bringing it back to pre-pandemic levels. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Driving the news: The letter warns against a variety of changes to Medicaid, including block grants or per capita caps, reducing the federal share of costs (FMAP), or work requirements, warning of coverage losses. —Peter Sullivan, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

The State of Florida’s revenue per capita is $5,731. —The Editors, National Review, 12 Dec. 2024

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