State and local governments take the lead on maintaining infrastructure such as roads and water systems: Public investment directed by state and local governments (combined) and the federal government, as % of GDP, 1979–2021
| Year | State and local governments | Federal government |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 2.22% | 1.32% |
| 1980 | 2.30% | 1.41% |
| 1981 | 2.09% | 1.50% |
| 1982 | 2.00% | 1.74% |
| 1983 | 1.89% | 1.92% |
| 1984 | 1.92% | 2.01% |
| 1985 | 2.01% | 2.20% |
| 1986 | 2.10% | 2.26% |
| 1987 | 2.10% | 2.28% |
| 1988 | 2.11% | 2.01% |
| 1989 | 2.11% | 1.86% |
| 1990 | 2.22% | 1.80% |
| 1991 | 2.23% | 1.64% |
| 1992 | 2.14% | 1.49% |
| 1993 | 2.06% | 1.30% |
| 1994 | 2.04% | 1.18% |
| 1995 | 2.09% | 1.11% |
| 1996 | 2.11% | 1.05% |
| 1997 | 2.13% | 0.92% |
| 1998 | 2.17% | 0.88% |
| 1999 | 2.22% | 0.85% |
| 2000 | 2.26% | 0.81% |
| 2001 | 2.34% | 0.83% |
| 2002 | 2.39% | 0.92% |
| 2003 | 2.35% | 0.96% |
| 2004 | 2.27% | 0.99% |
| 2005 | 2.23% | 1.01% |
| 2006 | 2.28% | 1.01% |
| 2007 | 2.36% | 1.04% |
| 2008 | 2.42% | 1.13% |
| 2009 | 2.49% | 1.20% |
| 2010 | 2.31% | 1.17% |
| 2011 | 2.19% | 1.10% |
| 2012 | 2.05% | 1.01% |
| 2013 | 1.96% | 0.91% |
| 2014 | 1.93% | 0.82% |
| 2015 | 1.96% | 0.78% |
| 2016 | 1.99% | 0.74% |
| 2017 | 1.99% | 0.74% |
| 2018 | 1.96% | 0.76% |
| 2019 | 2.0% | 0.78% |
| 2020 | 2.11% | 0.87% |
| 2021 | 1.92% | 0.85% |
Note: Public investment refers to government spending on fixed assets and research and development that either benefit the public directly (highways and school buildings, for example) or aid government agencies in doing their jobs (information technology equipment for state-run health care facilities, for example).
Source: National Income and Products Account Tables 3.2, 3.3, and 1.1.5 from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.