Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Latvia

Government expense in Latvia in 2023 — 34.2%. Ranked 26 in the world out of 87. Since 1994, the indicator has risen by 16.49 pp.

2023 34.2% −2.16 pp vs 2022
World rank 26of 87
Period maximum 39.58%2010
Period minimum 17.7%1994

Trend over time

1994–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Latvia, 1994–202310203040199419972000200320062009201220152018202120231994: 17.7%1995: 32.25%1996: 31.2%1997: 32.26%1998: 33.69%1999: 35.59%2000: 32.42%2001: 29.7%2002: 29.8%2003: 28.45%2004: 28.27%2005: 28.22%2006: 27.81%2007: 26.1%2008: 30.64%2009: 37.83%2010: 39.58%2011: 35.15%2012: 31.93%2013: 31.69%2014: 32.28%2015: 31.23%2016: 30.69%2017: 30.43%2018: 30.65%2019: 31.77%2020: 36.22%2021: 38.53%2022: 36.35%2023: 34.2%
Change over the period: +16.49 pp Annual average: 0.57 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Latvia

Latvia 34.2%
Government expense — Latvia, by year Latvia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 34.2 −2.16 pp
2022 36.35 −2.17 pp
2021 38.53 +2.31 pp
2020 36.22 +4.45 pp
2019 31.77 +1.11 pp
2018 30.65 +0.23 pp
2017 30.43 −0.26 pp
2016 30.69 −0.54 pp
2015 31.23 −1.05 pp
2014 32.28 +0.59 pp
2013 31.69 −0.24 pp
2012 31.93 −3.22 pp
2011 35.15 −4.43 pp
2010 39.58 +1.75 pp
2009 37.83 +7.18 pp
2008 30.64 +4.54 pp
2007 26.1 −1.71 pp
2006 27.81 −0.42 pp
2005 28.22 −0.05 pp
2004 28.27 −0.18 pp
2003 28.45 −1.35 pp
2002 29.8 +0.09 pp
2001 29.7 −2.71 pp
2000 32.42 −3.18 pp
1999 35.59 +1.9 pp
1998 33.69 +1.43 pp
1997 32.26 +1.07 pp
1996 31.2 −1.06 pp
1995 32.25 +14.55 pp
1994 17.7

Northern Europe, 2023

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

Central government expense as a percent of GDP: compensation of public employees, purchases of goods and services, interest on debt, subsidies, grants and social benefits. The indicator is broader than government consumption from the national accounts, because it includes transfers — pensions and benefits — which the accounts record as household income. The quantity is closely tied to the level of income: in advanced countries it is usually twice as high as in the poorest ones.

Important: Central government only. In federations the spending of regions is not included here, so comparing unitary and federal states by this indicator calls for a caveat.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.