Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Namibia

Government expense in Namibia in 2023 — 36.16%. Ranked 20 in the world out of 87. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 6.04 pp.

2023 36.16% +0.45 pp vs 2022
World rank 20of 87
Period maximum 40.32%2020
Period minimum 22.95%2007

Trend over time

1991–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Namibia, 1991–20232025303540451991199519992003200720112015201920231991: 30.13%1992: 29.58%1999: 29.25%2000: 28.12%2001: 28.9%2002: 27.34%2003: 28.68%2004: 25.6%2005: 25.41%2006: 23.98%2007: 22.95%2008: 25.16%2009: 27.04%2010: 28.1%2011: 34.2%2012: 31.69%2013: 35.45%2014: 37.15%2015: 38%2016: 35.45%2017: 38.56%2018: 35.1%2019: 34.52%2020: 40.32%2021: 37.6%2022: 35.72%2023: 36.16%
Change over the period: +6.04 pp Annual average: 0.19 pp
Government expense — Namibia, by year Namibia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 36.16 +0.45 pp
2022 35.72 −1.89 pp
2021 37.6 −2.71 pp
2020 40.32 +5.79 pp
2019 34.52 −0.58 pp
2018 35.1 −3.46 pp
2017 38.56 +3.11 pp
2016 35.45 −2.55 pp
2015 38 +0.85 pp
2014 37.15 +1.7 pp
2013 35.45 +3.76 pp
2012 31.69 −2.51 pp
2011 34.2 +6.1 pp
2010 28.1 +1.06 pp
2009 27.04 +1.88 pp
2008 25.16 +2.21 pp
2007 22.95 −1.04 pp
2006 23.98 −1.42 pp
2005 25.41 −0.2 pp
2004 25.6 −3.07 pp
2003 28.68 +1.34 pp
2002 27.34 −1.56 pp
2001 28.9 +0.78 pp
2000 28.12 −1.13 pp
1999 29.25
1992 29.58 −0.55 pp
1991 30.13

Southern Africa, 2023

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

NA Namibia 36.16 BW Botswana 23.89

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.