Per capita is a term adapted from the Latin phrase pro capite meaning "per (each) head" with pro meaning "per" or "for each" and capite (caput ablative) meaning "head." Both words together equate to the phrase "for each head" i.e. per individual or per person. The term is used in a wide variety of social sciences and statistical research contexts including government statistics economic indicators and built environment studies.

It is commonly and usually used in the field of statistics in place of saying "for each person" or "per person".12

It is also used in wills to indicate that each of the named beneficiaries should receive by devise or bequest equal shares of the estate. This is in contrast to a per stirpes division in which each branch of the inheriting family inherits an equal share of the estate. See also Look up per capita in Wiktionary the free dictionary. Per capita income This statistics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v d e