Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Middle Africa

Government expense in Middle Africa in 2021 — 11.35%. Since 2012, the indicator has fallen by 5.61 pp.

2021 11.35% −0.85 pp vs 2020
World rank
Period maximum 19.12%2013
Period minimum 11.35%2021

Trend over time

2012–2021 · % of GDP

Government expense — Middle Africa, 2012–202110121416182020122013201420152016201720182019202020212012: 16.96%2013: 19.12%2014: 18.71%2015: 15.41%2016: 13.69%2017: 12.31%2018: 12.48%2019: 12.69%2020: 12.21%2021: 11.35%
Change over the period: −5.61 pp Annual average: -0.62 pp

Comparison, 2021

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

Middle Africa 11.35%
World 31.74%
Government expense — Middle Africa, by year Middle Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2021 11.35 −0.85 pp
2020 12.21 −0.48 pp
2019 12.69 +0.21 pp
2018 12.48 +0.17 pp
2017 12.31 −1.38 pp
2016 13.69 −1.73 pp
2015 15.41 −3.29 pp
2014 18.71 −0.41 pp
2013 19.12 +2.15 pp
2012 16.96

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.