Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Malaysia

Government expense in Malaysia in 2023 — 17.01%. Ranked 74 in the world out of 87. Since 1996, the indicator has fallen by 1.68 pp.

2023 17.01% −0.89 pp vs 2022
World rank 74of 87
Period maximum 21.67%2009
Period minimum 15.83%2017

Trend over time

1996–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Malaysia, 1996–2023141618202219961999200220052008201120142017202020231996: 18.69%1997: 16.99%1998: 16.81%1999: 18.58%2000: 16.51%2001: 18.75%2002: 17.67%2003: 17.63%2004: 18.89%2005: 17.69%2006: 17.72%2007: 18.12%2008: 19.57%2009: 21.67%2010: 18.23%2011: 19.73%2012: 20.98%2013: 20.6%2014: 19.68%2015: 18.29%2016: 16.76%2017: 15.83%2018: 15.92%2019: 17.36%2020: 18.47%2021: 17.25%2022: 17.9%2023: 17.01%
Change over the period: −1.68 pp Annual average: -0.06 pp
Government expense — Malaysia, by year Malaysia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 17.01 −0.89 pp
2022 17.9 +0.64 pp
2021 17.25 −1.22 pp
2020 18.47 +1.11 pp
2019 17.36 +1.44 pp
2018 15.92 +0.1 pp
2017 15.83 −0.94 pp
2016 16.76 −1.53 pp
2015 18.29 −1.39 pp
2014 19.68 −0.92 pp
2013 20.6 −0.38 pp
2012 20.98 +1.25 pp
2011 19.73 +1.5 pp
2010 18.23 −3.44 pp
2009 21.67 +2.1 pp
2008 19.57 +1.45 pp
2007 18.12 +0.4 pp
2006 17.72 +0.03 pp
2005 17.69 −1.2 pp
2004 18.89 +1.26 pp
2003 17.63 −0.05 pp
2002 17.67 −1.07 pp
2001 18.75 +2.23 pp
2000 16.51 −2.07 pp
1999 18.58 +1.77 pp
1998 16.81 −0.18 pp
1997 16.99 −1.7 pp
1996 18.69

South-Eastern Asia, 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.