Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Northern Europe

Government expense in Northern Europe in 2022 — 35.59%. Since 1995, the indicator has fallen by 3.25 pp.

2022 35.59% −2.88 pp vs 2021
World rank
Period maximum 42.55%2020
Period minimum 33.8%2000

Trend over time

1995–2022 · % of GDP

Government expense — Northern Europe, 1995–202232.53537.54042.54519951998200120042007201020132016201920221995: 38.84%1996: 37.2%1997: 35.42%1998: 34.84%1999: 34.28%2000: 33.8%2001: 33.84%2002: 35.2%2003: 35.91%2004: 35.94%2005: 35.98%2006: 35.79%2007: 35.96%2008: 37.84%2009: 41.09%2010: 42.04%2011: 39.91%2012: 40.19%2013: 38.29%2014: 37.79%2015: 36.84%2016: 35.91%2017: 35.26%2018: 35.22%2019: 34.63%2020: 42.55%2021: 38.47%2022: 35.59%
Change over the period: −3.25 pp Annual average: -0.12 pp

Comparison, 2022

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Northern Europe

Northern Europe 35.59%
World 28.49%
Government expense — Northern Europe, by year Northern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2022 35.59 −2.88 pp
2021 38.47 −4.08 pp
2020 42.55 +7.93 pp
2019 34.63 −0.6 pp
2018 35.22 −0.04 pp
2017 35.26 −0.65 pp
2016 35.91 −0.93 pp
2015 36.84 −0.95 pp
2014 37.79 −0.5 pp
2013 38.29 −1.91 pp
2012 40.19 +0.28 pp
2011 39.91 −2.13 pp
2010 42.04 +0.95 pp
2009 41.09 +3.25 pp
2008 37.84 +1.88 pp
2007 35.96 +0.18 pp
2006 35.79 −0.19 pp
2005 35.98 +0.04 pp
2004 35.94 +0.03 pp
2003 35.91 +0.71 pp
2002 35.2 +1.36 pp
2001 33.84 +0.04 pp
2000 33.8 −0.48 pp
1999 34.28 −0.57 pp
1998 34.84 −0.58 pp
1997 35.42 −1.78 pp
1996 37.2 −1.64 pp
1995 38.84

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.