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Sign of the New York Stock Exchange, Broad Street
USCIS Civics · Question 12 of 128✶ 65/20

What is the economic system of the United States?

Official Answer

Capitalism

Also accepted: Free market economy

In plain English

The economic system of the United States is capitalism. It is also called a free market economy. In capitalism, people — not the government — own most businesses. Businesses choose what to sell and what prices to charge. People choose what to buy. The economic system of the United States is capitalism, a free market economy.

From the archives

Sign of the New York Stock Exchange, Broad Street
Sign of the New York Stock Exchange, Broad StreetBillie Grace Ward, via Wikimedia Commons · CC0
Image: Sign of the New York Stock Exchange, Broad Street — Billie Grace Ward, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.Answers verbatim from USCIS M-1778 (09/25)