What is the economic system of the United States?

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers.

• Capitalism
• Free market economy

Our explanation

An economic system is how a country makes, buys, and sells things. In the U.S., the government does not control the economy. People are free to start a business and make money. This is capitalism, a free market economy.

Remember it

Capitalism = free market: people are free to start businesses, buy, and sell.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide p. 63 calls it a 'capitalist economy' or 'market economy': "In a market economy, the government does not control the economy. Also, people are free to start a business and make money."

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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