Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Eastern Europe

Government expense in Eastern Europe in 2023 — 34.43%. Since 1994, the indicator has risen by 3.6 pp.

2023 34.43% −0.19 pp vs 2022
World rank
Period maximum 42.33%1996
Period minimum 25.34%1995

Trend over time

1994–2023 · % of GDP

Government expense — Eastern Europe, 1994–20232530354045199419972000200320062009201220152018202120231994: 30.83%1995: 25.34%1996: 42.33%1997: 38.25%1998: 32.6%1999: 31.54%2000: 30.52%2001: 31.28%2002: 31.3%2003: 31.57%2004: 29.54%2005: 28.31%2006: 27.5%2007: 28.83%2008: 28.18%2009: 34.8%2010: 31.79%2011: 28.48%2012: 28.85%2013: 29.21%2014: 30.57%2015: 32.8%2016: 32.95%2017: 32.28%2018: 31.23%2019: 31.81%2020: 37.4%2021: 34.03%2022: 34.62%2023: 34.43%
Change over the period: +3.6 pp Annual average: 0.12 pp
Government expense — Eastern Europe, by year Eastern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 34.43 −0.19 pp
2022 34.62 +0.59 pp
2021 34.03 −3.36 pp
2020 37.4 +5.58 pp
2019 31.81 +0.58 pp
2018 31.23 −1.05 pp
2017 32.28 −0.67 pp
2016 32.95 +0.15 pp
2015 32.8 +2.22 pp
2014 30.57 +1.37 pp
2013 29.21 +0.36 pp
2012 28.85 +0.37 pp
2011 28.48 −3.31 pp
2010 31.79 −3.01 pp
2009 34.8 +6.62 pp
2008 28.18 −0.65 pp
2007 28.83 +1.33 pp
2006 27.5 −0.81 pp
2005 28.31 −1.22 pp
2004 29.54 −2.04 pp
2003 31.57 +0.28 pp
2002 31.3 +0.02 pp
2001 31.28 +0.76 pp
2000 30.52 −1.01 pp
1999 31.54 −1.06 pp
1998 32.6 −5.65 pp
1997 38.25 −4.08 pp
1996 42.33 +16.99 pp
1995 25.34 −5.49 pp
1994 30.83

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.