Government

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent agency responsible for promoting economic growth and infrastructure development abroad. The agency's functions include funding feasibility studies, technical assistance, and pilot projects that integrate US expertise into global infrastructure projects. It was established in 1992.

In FY 2024,

$59.1M

was spent by the Trade and Development Agency
In FY 2024,

<0.1%

of federal spending was by the Trade and Development Agency

How much does the Trade and Development Agency spend?

The Trade and Development Agency spent $59.1 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.00087% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 77th among federal agencies in total spending.

The Trade and Development Agency accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of USTDA 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 Trade and Development Agency’s federal spending has increased from $6.12 million in 1982 to $59.1 million in 2024.

The Trade and Development Agency’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1982.

Yearly federal net spending by USTDA, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1982–2024

Since 1982, the Trade and Development Agency's spending has increased 864.9%, while overall spending has increased 177%.
The department’s spending grew more than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget increased. In 2024, USTDA accounted for 0.00087% of all federal spending. That’s -0.00063 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.00062 points higher than in 1982.
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 Trade and Development Agency's share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1982.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to USTDA, FYs 1982–2024

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 Trade and Development Agency's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all net USTDA spending.

How did the Trade and Development Agency spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to USTDA, FY 2024

How many people work for the Trade and Development Agency?

Some 70 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the Trade and Development Agency as of September 2024. This is 66.7% more people than the agency staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the Trade and Development Agency has increased 66.7% since 2010.

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

USTDA accounts for 0.003% 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. USTDA constituted a larger share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 than in 2010 (0.002%).
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 Trade and Development Agency's share of the workforce (0.003%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.00087%).

Who leads the US Trade and Development Agency?

USTDA is led by a director, who is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

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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