Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Southern Africa

Government expense in Southern Africa in 2022 — 33.14%. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 8 pp.

2022 33.14% −1.2 pp vs 2021
World rank
Period maximum 37.64%2020
Period minimum 23.79%2002

Trend over time

1991–2022 · % of GDP

Government expense — Southern Africa, 1991–202220253035401991199519992003200720112015201920221991: 25.15%1992: 28.04%1993: 29.24%1994: 25.94%1995: 26.25%1996: 27.09%1999: 25.43%2000: 24.5%2001: 24.44%2002: 23.79%2003: 24.87%2004: 25.58%2005: 25.6%2006: 25.93%2007: 26.19%2008: 27.49%2009: 29.42%2010: 29.67%2011: 31.07%2012: 30.41%2013: 31.38%2014: 31.93%2015: 33.68%2016: 32.06%2017: 33.19%2018: 33.79%2019: 34.34%2020: 37.64%2021: 34.35%2022: 33.14%
Change over the period: +8 pp Annual average: 0.26 pp

Comparison, 2022

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

Southern Africa 33.14%
World 28.49%
Government expense — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2022 33.14 −1.2 pp
2021 34.35 −3.3 pp
2020 37.64 +3.3 pp
2019 34.34 +0.55 pp
2018 33.79 +0.61 pp
2017 33.19 +1.13 pp
2016 32.06 −1.62 pp
2015 33.68 +1.75 pp
2014 31.93 +0.55 pp
2013 31.38 +0.97 pp
2012 30.41 −0.66 pp
2011 31.07 +1.4 pp
2010 29.67 +0.25 pp
2009 29.42 +1.93 pp
2008 27.49 +1.3 pp
2007 26.19 +0.26 pp
2006 25.93 +0.33 pp
2005 25.6 +0.02 pp
2004 25.58 +0.71 pp
2003 24.87 +1.08 pp
2002 23.79 −0.64 pp
2001 24.44 −0.06 pp
2000 24.5 −0.93 pp
1999 25.43
1996 27.09 +0.84 pp
1995 26.25 +0.31 pp
1994 25.94 −3.31 pp
1993 29.24 +1.21 pp
1992 28.04 +2.89 pp
1991 25.15

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.