Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Samoa

Government expense in Samoa in 2023 — 26.68%. Ranked 44 in the world out of 87. Since 2012, the indicator has fallen by 2.12 pp.

2023 26.68% −5.15 pp vs 2022
World rank 44of 87
Period maximum 34.44%2021
Period minimum 24.67%2017

Trend over time

2012–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Samoa, 2012–202322.52527.53032.53520122014201620182020202220232012: 28.81%2013: 28.75%2014: 30.73%2015: 28.6%2016: 24.99%2017: 24.67%2018: 28.31%2019: 27.81%2020: 29.81%2021: 34.44%2022: 31.84%2023: 26.68%
Change over the period: −2.12 pp Annual average: -0.19 pp
Government expense — Samoa, by year Samoa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 26.68 −5.15 pp
2022 31.84 −2.6 pp
2021 34.44 +4.62 pp
2020 29.81 +2.01 pp
2019 27.81 −0.51 pp
2018 28.31 +3.64 pp
2017 24.67 −0.32 pp
2016 24.99 −3.61 pp
2015 28.6 −2.13 pp
2014 30.73 +1.98 pp
2013 28.75 −0.06 pp
2012 28.81

Polynesia, 2023

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

TO Tonga 34.65 WS Samoa 26.68

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.