Government expense in the United Kingdom in 2023 — 41.23%. Ranked 10 in the world out of 87. Since 1972, the indicator has risen by 11.72 pp.
1972–2023 · % of GDP
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: United Kingdom
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41.23 | +0.58 pp |
| 2022 | 40.65 | −2.3 pp |
| 2021 | 42.95 | −4.59 pp |
| 2020 | 47.53 | +11.13 pp |
| 2019 | 36.41 | −0.79 pp |
| 2018 | 37.2 | +0.35 pp |
| 2017 | 36.84 | −0.17 pp |
| 2016 | 37.01 | −1.2 pp |
| 2015 | 38.21 | −0.93 pp |
| 2014 | 39.15 | −0.88 pp |
| 2013 | 40.03 | −3.1 pp |
| 2012 | 43.13 | +0.62 pp |
| 2011 | 42.51 | −1.43 pp |
| 2010 | 43.94 | +0.45 pp |
| 2009 | 43.49 | +2.49 pp |
| 2008 | 41 | +2.76 pp |
| 2007 | 38.24 | +0.28 pp |
| 2006 | 37.95 | +0.22 pp |
| 2005 | 37.73 | +0.44 pp |
| 2004 | 37.29 | +0.46 pp |
| 2003 | 36.83 | +1.18 pp |
| 2002 | 35.66 | +1.4 pp |
| 2001 | 34.26 | +0.29 pp |
| 2000 | 33.97 | +0.42 pp |
| 1999 | 33.56 | −0.3 pp |
| 1998 | 33.86 | −0.44 pp |
| 1997 | 34.3 | −1.42 pp |
| 1996 | 35.72 | −1.26 pp |
| 1995 | 36.98 | −0.1 pp |
| 1994 | 37.08 | −0.29 pp |
| 1993 | 37.37 | −0.27 pp |
| 1992 | 37.64 | +2.86 pp |
| 1991 | 34.78 | +2.2 pp |
| 1990 | 32.58 | +2.93 pp |
| 1989 | 29.65 | −1.32 pp |
| 1988 | 30.97 | −2.16 pp |
| 1987 | 33.14 | −1.84 pp |
| 1986 | 34.98 | −0.95 pp |
| 1985 | 35.93 | −0.89 pp |
| 1984 | 36.82 | −0.06 pp |
| 1983 | 36.88 | −0.79 pp |
| 1982 | 37.67 | +0.19 pp |
| 1981 | 37.48 | +1.92 pp |
| 1980 | 35.56 | +1.58 pp |
| 1979 | 33.98 | −0.51 pp |
| 1978 | 34.49 | −0.04 pp |
| 1977 | 34.53 | −1.92 pp |
| 1976 | 36.44 | −0.04 pp |
| 1975 | 36.49 | +3.24 pp |
| 1974 | 33.25 | +4.42 pp |
| 1973 | 28.84 | −0.67 pp |
| 1972 | 29.51 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
Finland
44.91
United Kingdom
41.23
Estonia
37.69
Norway
34.52
Latvia
34.2
Lithuania
33.86
Denmark
33.34
Iceland
32.05
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.
How much the state collects in a year — all revenue except foreign grants.
Public Finance Budget balanceThe budget deficit or surplus as a percent of GDP. A negative value means spending exceeds revenue.
Economy Government consumption in US dollarsHow much the state spends on running itself: public sector wages, purchases, defense.
Defense Military expenditure share of the budgetWhat part of government spending goes to defense.