Government
Data updated April 3, 2025

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is an independent federal agency responsible for overseeing media networks that provide news and information in countries where press freedom is limited. It manages outlets such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and the Open Technology Fund. These networks deliver accurate and independent reporting to global audiences. It was established in 1994.

In FY 2024,

$882M

was spent by the US Agency for Global Media
In FY 2024,

<0.1%

of federal spending was by the US Agency for Global Media

How much does the United States Agency for Global Media spend?

The US Agency for Global Media spent $882 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.013% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 34th among federal agencies in total spending.

The US Agency for Global Media accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of USAGM 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 US Agency for Global Media’s federal spending has increased from $416 million in 1980 to $882 million in 2024.

The US Agency for Global Media’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

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

Since 1980, US Agency for Global Media's spending has increased 112%, 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, USAGM accounted for 0.013% of all federal spending. That’s 0.0071 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.005 percentage 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 US Agency for Global Media’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to USAGM, 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 US Agency for Global Media's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all USAGM spending.

How did the US Agency for Global Media spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to USAGM, FY 2024

How many people work for the United States Agency for Global Media?

Some 1,000 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the US Agency for Global Media as of September 2024. This is 29.9% fewer people than the agency staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the US Agency for Global Media has decreased 29.9% since 2010.

Number of federal employees working for USAGM, September 2010–2024

USAGM accounts for 0.054% of the overall federal workforce. As the number of federal employees has changed, so too has the way the workforce is organized, with resources allocated to agencies depending on government priorities. USAGM constituted a smaller share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 than in 2010 (0.086%).
While the number of employees on an agency’s payroll contributes to that agency’s expenditures, some agencies have relatively few employees compared to their budget or vice versa, giving them an outsized share of either the budget or the workforce. According to the most recent data, the US Agency for Global Media's share of the workforce (0.054%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.013%).

Who leads the United States Agency for Global Media?

USAGM is led by a Chief Executive Officer, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The CEO serves at the president’s discretion and may remain in the role until they resign, are replaced, or a successor is appointed.

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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

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