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

So Indiana's along with Wisconsin, the two biggest states per capita manufacturing, so tariffs would have been a plus due to the industries that have been kind of hollowed out. —CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026

The study compared nearly 70 major chains nationwide using Google search popularity combined with restaurant locations per capita to determine each state’s top pick. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026

Florida has more condominium and homeowners associations per capita than any state in the country, yet homeowners here are afforded some of the weakest protections when associations wield foreclosure power. —Michael P. Mayoral, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026

From 2001 to 2022, however, real per capita income grew by 41 percent in the monument’s counties. —Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 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