Government

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent foreign intelligence agency. Its primary mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate information to the president and other policymakers to help safeguard national security. The CIA conducts covert operations and gathers intelligence on foreign entities to avert threats and inform governmental decisions. It was established in 1947.

In FY 2024,

$562M

was spent by the Central Intelligence Agency
In FY 2024,

<0.1%

of federal spending was by the Central Intelligence Agency

How much does the Central Intelligence Agency spend?

The Central Intelligence Agency spent $561.9 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.0083% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 44th among federal agencies in total spending.

The Central Intelligence Agency accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of CIA net spending compared to the top ten highest spending agencies in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the Central Intelligence Agency’s federal spending has increased from $200.9 million in 1980 to $561.9 million in 2024.

The Central Intelligence Agency’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Yearly federal net spending by CIA, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024

Since 1980, the Central Intelligence Agency's spending has increased 179.6%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
The department’s spending grew less than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget decreased. In 2024, CIA accounted for 0.0083% of all federal spending. That’s 0.0063 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.00042 points lower than in 1980.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Central Intelligence Agency's share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to CIA, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the Central Intelligence Agency's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all net CIA spending.

How did the Central Intelligence Agency spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to CIA, FY 2024

Who leads the Central Intelligence Agency

The CIA is led by a director, who is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The CIA director reports to the Director of National Intelligence.

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Personnel Management

    FedScope

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

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