The federal workforce would shrink slightly in 2011 under President Obama's budget request, mostly because the Commerce Department plans to let go almost 99,000 temporary census takers after completion of the 2010 Census.

But most agencies would see staffing increases next year. The Defense Department's civilian workforce is expected to grow from 720,200 in 2010 to 757,500, largely due to the Pentagon's large insourcing effort to bring contracted work in-house. Defense plans to add 20,000 positions to do work now done by contractors.

Overall, the government would lose about 42,600 employees next year, leaving it with 2.1 million employees.

The Homeland Security Department is expected to grow from 177,000 employees to 183,500 employees. It plans to hire 318 new Customs and Border Protection officers for passenger and cargo screening at ports of entry and 103 new intelligence analysts. The Transportation Security Administration is also planning to hire 5,355 new screeners to run new advanced imaging units at airports.

Peggy Sherry, Homeland Security's acting chief financial officer, said Monday the agency will hire more cybersecurity workers and add more air marshals to increase coverage of international flights.

But the agency will cut 180 Border Patrol agents through attrition in 2011. Homeland Security said the Border Patrol doesn't need as many agents because its workforce is becoming more experienced and effective, and because it is no longer hiring thousands of new agents who need training. Homeland Security said the reduction will not affect the Border Patrol's effectiveness.

And the Coast Guard will cut more than 1,100 people from its workforce as it decommissions some old boats and brings new boats on line. Homeland Security said the Coast Guard is trying to reorganize and become more efficient.

The Veterans Affairs Department would grow from 284,300 employees to 287,700 employees. The department said the proposed increased staff and its $11 billion budget increase will help it better process benefits claims, improve mental health care and fight veteran homelessness.

The Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services departments would receive staffing increases.

Commerce is expected to drop from 141,500 employees to 43,600 employees, a 69 percent decline. This would leave the Census Bureau with 12,300 employees. The Agriculture Department would see a 4 percent decline, from 101,000 employees to 97,100 employees, and the Interior Department would drop from 70,600 employees to 69,600 employees.