United States profile

Demography and Health

The United States is home to roughly 340.1 million people as of 2024, placing it among the most populous countries in the world (rank around 3). Demographic dynamics are fueled by sustained net migration, which reached about 1.29 million in 2024, contributing to population growth despite modest natural increase. Life expectancy at birth stands at 78.4 years (2023), reflecting strong access to health care and overall living standards, though it trails the highest-income peers in some health outcomes. Birth rate sits at 10.7 per 1,000 people (2023), while the crude death rate is 9.2 per 1,000 (2023); together these figures illustrate a relatively mature population with aging trends continuing to shape healthcare and social policy needs. Under-5 mortality is 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births (2023), a rate that, while improved from historical levels, indicates ongoing focus areas for child health and preventive care. The health system is financially substantial. Current health expenditure accounts for about 16.5% of GDP (2022), and domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, is around 6,861 international dollars (2022), reflecting a strong public health outlay relative to many other countries. There are about 3.61 physicians per 1,000 people (2021), suggesting a high but uneven distribution of medical resources; access to care remains a priority in both rural and urban settings. The suicide mortality rate stands at 15.6 per 100,000 population (2021), signaling ongoing attention to mental health as part of comprehensive health planning. Nutrition indicators show a relatively low prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% of the population (2022), underscoring food security in the mature economy. In line with those health trends, internet penetration is high, with 93.1% of the population online in 2023, reflecting a broad digital health and information access environment that can support public health initiatives and telemedicine initiatives going forward.

Economy

Economically, the United States combines enormous scale with advanced diversification. Military expenditure is the largest globally at about 916.0 billion current US dollars in 2023, underscoring security and strategic considerations that shape fiscal planning and industrial policy. On the consumer side, inflation sits at 2.95% in 2024, indicating price stability relative to the global average and providing a conducive environment for investment and long-run planning. The economy is highly productive per capita, with GDP per capita of 85,810 current US$ in 2024, ranking around 7th worldwide, and the same figure in GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) at 85,810, ranking around 10th. These metrics reflect a high standard of living and substantial purchasing power. R&D remains a major strength, with R&D expenditure at about 3.59% of GDP in 2022, ranking 3rd globally, illustrating the deep integration of research into industry, innovation, and competitiveness. High-technology exports are extraordinarily large in absolute terms (over 232.9 billion current US$ in 2024) and rank 1 worldwide, signaling a strong base in advanced manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sectors. The patent environment is robust, with around 262,244 resident patent applications in 2021, ranking 2nd globally and reflecting a vibrant innovation ecosystem. The economy is also attractive to global talent and capital, evidenced by net migration of about 1.29 million in 2024 and foreign direct investment inflows at roughly 1.33% of GDP (2024). Meanwhile, the current account balance stands at a deficit of 3.88% of GDP (2024), highlighting a services-led and sophisticated import-export dynamic that mirrors the country’s large consumer and business markets. <. The per-capita wealth level, while high, accompanies structural features: exports of goods and services account for about 10.9% of GDP (2024) and imports for about 14.0% of GDP, reflecting a highly integrated but service-led trade pattern with a substantial reliance on intellectual property, financial services, and technology. The economy also features a dynamic labor market with an unemployment rate of 3.64% (2023), suggesting near-full employment conditions in many sectors and a strong demand for skilled labor. Taken together, these indicators portray an economy characterized by leadership in innovation, strong productivity, and global integration, even as trade and current accounts reflect the complexity of a large, open, and consumer-driven economy.

Trade and Investment

Trade and investment dynamics in the United States display a paradox of immense global integration and a sizable current account deficit. Exports of goods and services as a share of GDP are about 10.9% in 2024, while imports total around 14.0% of GDP in the same year, indicating that the United States runs a persistent trade deficit in goods and services as a whole but remains deeply involved in global supply chains, services, and advanced knowledge-based exports. The country is a world leader in high-technology exports, with current US$ exports exceeding 232.9 billion in 2024, and a correspondingly strong portfolio of intellectual property activity, as seen in resident patent applications of about 262,244 in 2021. This concentration of high-tech exports reinforces the United States’ role as a catalyst for innovation-driven global trade. Foreign direct investment inflows average around 1.33% of GDP in 2024, signaling sustained interest from international capital despite market fluctuations, while the logistics and infrastructure enabling trade are notably strong. The Logistics Performance Index scores 3.9 out of 5 (2022), ranking 7th globally for quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure, which helps explain both the efficiency of domestic distribution networks and the attractiveness of the United States as a hub for international trade. The current account deficit and sizable capital inflows reflect a mature, open economy with a large service sector, a robust financial system, and a deep capital market that supports both domestic investment and foreign investment. In a world of shifting protectionist signals, the United States’ combination of advanced technology, IP-intensive production, and deep capital markets continues to attract investment even as trade patterns adapt to evolving global value chains.

Governance and Institutions

Governance and institutions in the United States present a mixed but generally robust picture. On the negative side, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism receive a relatively low score in some assessments (0.0294 in 2023, rank 99), underscoring periodic domestic political tensions and security concerns that can influence policy certainty and risk perceptions. Yet, the country also demonstrates strong capabilities in regulatory quality and the rule of law, with regulatory quality at 1.39 (2023, rank 20) and rule of law at 1.33 (2023, rank 22). Control of corruption is measured at 1.12 (2023, rank 30), and government effectiveness at 1.22 (2023, rank 25). These indicators collectively point to a resilient framework of institutions, a well-functioning judiciary, and predictable policy processes that support business confidence and long-run planning. The United States benefits from a developed capacity for governance over markets and innovation, underpinned by strong property rights, well-established financial markets, and a tradition of independent institutions. However, political polarization and episodic governance disruptions can complicate timely policy responses to pressing economic and social challenges. The combination of solid regulatory quality, credible rule of law, and relatively effective government operations helps maintain an enabling environment for investment, research, and development, even as political dynamics influence short-term agenda setting and fiscal trajectories. Cross-cutting governance indicators suggest the United States remains a global reference for institutional strength, even while certain political frictions shape the pace and scope of reform efforts.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology in the United States are characterized by a high level of digital integration, strong innovation ecosystems, and durable physical networks. The logistic backbone for trade and commerce is highly developed, as evidenced by a Logistics Performance Index of 3.9 (2022), ranking 7th globally for quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure. Internet penetration is profound, with 93.1% of the population using the Internet in 2023, supporting e-commerce, digital services, and remote work. The country also has a vigorous R&D ecosystem, investing about 3.59% of GDP in research and development (2022), and a substantial patent activity, with 262,244 resident patent applications in 2021 (rank 2), highlighting a deep pipeline of innovations across sectors from software to biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Manufacturing and tech leadership are complemented by human capital in science and medicine, including a physician density of 3.61 per 1,000 people (2021). High-technology exports are the largest in the world (over 232.9 billion USD in 2024), underscoring the export strength of sophisticated products and services. The country’s energy and environmental profile show diversity of energy sources, with renewable energy contributing 10.9% of total final energy consumption (2021). This technology-intensive environment supports a broad ecosystem of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and university-industry collaboration, though continued investment in aging infrastructure, grid modernization, and rural connectivity remains a policy priority to sustain momentum. Overall, infrastructure quality and technological capability position the United States as a global engine of innovation and a critical node in international supply chains.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental and sustainability indicators depict a nation with high emissions intensity but ongoing efforts toward diversification and efficiency. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, excluding LULUCF, are 17.7 tons CO2e (2023), placing the United States among the highest emitters in per-capita terms; this underscores ongoing challenges related to energy, transport, and industry decarbonization. Water stress is moderate, with freshwater withdrawal representing about 28.2% of renewable freshwater resources available (2021), indicating a balance between consumption and supply in most basins but with regional variability that warrants targeted management. Renewable energy consumption accounts for 10.9% of total final energy consumption (2021), illustrating progress toward cleaner energy but also highlighting the dependence on fossil fuels relative to peers with larger renewables shares. On the positive side, the country remains resilient in food security, with undernourishment at 2.5% (2022) of the population, signaling effective agricultural and food-system support for most of the population. The environmental transition is informed by substantial investment in technology and policy reform, yet the scale of emissions and energy maturity suggest that achieving deeper decarbonization will require sustained investments in renewables, grid modernization, and efficiency improvements across sectors. The environmental indicators, while challenging in the aggregate, also reflect a capacity to mobilize large-scale research, finance, and innovation to address climate change, energy security, and sustainable development goals at home and as a leader in global environmental governance.