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

WalletHub also factored in some unique metrics like the affordability of doctor’s visits, the share of parents with emotional support, and hate-crime incidents per capita. —Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 30 Mar. 2025

According to the International Energy Agency, public transit can reduce per capita CO₂ emissions by up to 45% compared to driving alone. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

For example, western Massachusetts already has fewer doctors per capita than many other regions in the state. —Karen Brown, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025

The World Happiness Report weighs factors such as healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, a trustworthy government, GDP per capita, social support, and more for its rankings. —Kathleen Rellihan, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 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