Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Malta

Government expense in Malta in 2023 — 33.67%. Ranked 29 in the world out of 87. Since 1972, the indicator has fallen by 0.01 pp.

2023 33.67% −2.8 pp vs 2022
World rank 29of 87
Period maximum 42.33%2003
Period minimum 24.68%1980

Trend over time

1972–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Malta, 1972–202320253035404519721978198419901996200220082014202020231972: 33.68%1973: 32.12%1974: 38.88%1975: 35%1976: 31.44%1977: 30.85%1978: 28.64%1980: 24.68%1981: 28.01%1982: 30.07%1983: 29.62%1984: 29.72%1985: 29.06%1986: 28.12%1987: 28.17%1988: 27.65%1989: 27.47%1990: 27.7%1991: 28.44%1992: 29.02%1993: 30.04%1994: 30.28%1995: 37.46%1996: 39.26%1997: 39.04%1998: 38.14%1999: 38.28%2000: 37.81%2001: 39.7%2002: 39.08%2003: 42.33%2004: 40.43%2005: 40.16%2006: 40.3%2007: 39.7%2008: 41.7%2009: 40.96%2010: 39.67%2011: 40.45%2012: 39.87%2013: 38.86%2014: 37.74%2015: 35.36%2016: 34.46%2017: 31.82%2018: 32.59%2019: 32.7%2020: 39.85%2021: 37.17%2022: 36.47%2023: 33.67%
Change over the period: −0.01 pp Annual average: 0 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Malta 33.67%
Southern Europe computed 41.59%
Government expense — Malta, by year Malta All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 33.67 −2.8 pp
2022 36.47 −0.7 pp
2021 37.17 −2.68 pp
2020 39.85 +7.15 pp
2019 32.7 +0.11 pp
2018 32.59 +0.78 pp
2017 31.82 −2.64 pp
2016 34.46 −0.9 pp
2015 35.36 −2.38 pp
2014 37.74 −1.12 pp
2013 38.86 −1.01 pp
2012 39.87 −0.58 pp
2011 40.45 +0.78 pp
2010 39.67 −1.29 pp
2009 40.96 −0.74 pp
2008 41.7 +2 pp
2007 39.7 −0.6 pp
2006 40.3 +0.14 pp
2005 40.16 −0.26 pp
2004 40.43 −1.9 pp
2003 42.33 +3.24 pp
2002 39.08 −0.62 pp
2001 39.7 +1.9 pp
2000 37.81 −0.48 pp
1999 38.28 +0.15 pp
1998 38.14 −0.9 pp
1997 39.04 −0.23 pp
1996 39.26 +1.8 pp
1995 37.46 +7.18 pp
1994 30.28 +0.24 pp
1993 30.04 +1.02 pp
1992 29.02 +0.58 pp
1991 28.44 +0.74 pp
1990 27.7 +0.24 pp
1989 27.47 −0.18 pp
1988 27.65 −0.52 pp
1987 28.17 +0.05 pp
1986 28.12 −0.94 pp
1985 29.06 −0.66 pp
1984 29.72 +0.1 pp
1983 29.62 −0.45 pp
1982 30.07 +2.06 pp
1981 28.01 +3.33 pp
1980 24.68
1978 28.64 −2.21 pp
1977 30.85 −0.58 pp
1976 31.44 −3.56 pp
1975 35 −3.89 pp
1974 38.88 +6.76 pp
1973 32.12 −1.56 pp
1972 33.68

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.