Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Zimbabwe

Government expense in Zimbabwe in 2018 — 10.98%. Ranked 128 in the world out of 139. Since 2009, the indicator has risen by 1.51 pp.

2018 10.98% +1.19 pp vs 2017
World rank 128of 139
Period maximum 25.24%2016
Period minimum 9.47%2009

Trend over time

2009–2018 · % of GDP

Government expense — Zimbabwe, 2009–20185101520253020092010201120122013201420152016201720182009: 9.47%2010: 16.12%2011: 19.08%2012: 20.21%2015: 21.81%2016: 25.24%2017: 9.78%2018: 10.98%
Change over the period: +1.51 pp Annual average: 0.17 pp

Comparison, 2018

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

Zimbabwe 10.98%
World 26.14%
Sub-Saharan Africa computed 21.62%
Eastern Africa computed 15.92%
Government expense — Zimbabwe, by year Zimbabwe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2018 10.98 +1.19 pp
2017 9.78 −15.45 pp
2016 25.24 +3.43 pp
2015 21.81
2012 20.21 +1.13 pp
2011 19.08 +2.96 pp
2010 16.12 +6.66 pp
2009 9.47

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.