per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: per unit of population : by or for each person

the highest income per capita of any state in the union

2

: equally to each individual

Synonyms of per capita

• a shot
• each
• per
• a pop

Examples of per capita in a Sentence

we expect the students to receive less funding per capita this year due to a marked increase in the school-age population

Recent Examples on the Web

Winter Springs operates with one of the region’s lowest municipal property-tax rates and a lowest number of employees per capita. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

But Superintendent Robert McDermott noted that Penn High School has twice as many students, so Chesterton students actually led the state in dual college credit hours earned per capita. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

By the end of the Second World War, half of Argentinean households had a radio—more per capita than some European countries. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Known for its vibrant ink culture, Miami Beach has been called the most tattooed city in America, boasting more tattoo shops per capita than any other city. — Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈkap-ət-ə 

: by or for each person

per capita income

Legal Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: equally to each individual

all property to pass to the descendants per capita

—used of a method of distributing an especially intestate estate compare per stirpes

Note: Per capita distribution of an estate provides each descendant with an equal share of the estate's assets regardless of the degree of his or her kinship. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., all receive equal shares.

2

: per unit of population : by or for each individual

a high per capita tax burden

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads