Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Saudi Arabia

Government expense in Saudi Arabia in 2023 — 24.22%. Ranked 52 in the world out of 87. Since 2010, the indicator has fallen by 0.22 pp.

2023 24.22% +2.25 pp vs 2022
World rank 52of 87
Period maximum 31.97%2020
Period minimum 21.97%2022

Trend over time

2010–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Saudi Arabia, 2010–20232022.52527.53032.5201020122014201620182020202220232010: 24.43%2011: 22.88%2012: 25.3%2013: 25.35%2014: 27.82%2015: 30.42%2016: 26.94%2017: 25.98%2018: 26.8%2019: 26.71%2020: 31.97%2021: 25.01%2022: 21.97%2023: 24.22%
Change over the period: −0.22 pp Annual average: -0.02 pp
Government expense — Saudi Arabia, by year Saudi Arabia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 24.22 +2.25 pp
2022 21.97 −3.04 pp
2021 25.01 −6.96 pp
2020 31.97 +5.26 pp
2019 26.71 −0.09 pp
2018 26.8 +0.81 pp
2017 25.98 −0.96 pp
2016 26.94 −3.48 pp
2015 30.42 +2.6 pp
2014 27.82 +2.46 pp
2013 25.35 +0.06 pp
2012 25.3 +2.42 pp
2011 22.88 −1.56 pp
2010 24.43

Western 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.