South Africa—Government Expense (% of GDP)
South Africa's government expense (% of GDP) was 33.4% in 2022, ranking #42 out of 138 countries. This represents a -3.4% change from 2021. Over the past 23 years, the highest recorded value was 37.8% (2020) and the lowest was 23.7% (2002). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33.4% | -3.4% |
| 2021 | 34.6% | -8.5% |
| 2020 | 37.8% | +9.2% |
| 2019 | 34.7% | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 34.0% | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 33.3% | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 32.2% | -4.4% |
| 2015 | 33.7% | +5.6% |
| 2014 | 31.9% | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 31.3% | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 30.4% | -2.2% |
| 2011 | 31.1% | +5.0% |
| 2010 | 29.6% | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 29.1% | +7.1% |
| 2008 | 27.2% | +4.2% |
| 2007 | 26.1% | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 25.8% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 25.6% | -0.0% |
| 2004 | 25.6% | +3.4% |
| 2003 | 24.8% | +4.6% |
| 2002 | 23.7% | -2.7% |
| 2001 | 24.3% | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 24.4% |
Top Countries — Government Expense (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naoero | 103.6% | 2020 |
| 2 | Kiribati | 83.7% | 2023 |
| 3 | Ukraine | 65.6% | 2023 |
| 4 | Marshall Islands | 59.4% | 2020 |
| 5 | Palau | 59.0% | 2020 |
| 6 | Timor-Leste | 52.5% | 2022 |
| 7 | Greece | 47.3% | 2023 |
| 8 | Italy | 47.3% | 2023 |
| 9 | France | 47.3% | 2023 |
| 10 | Austria | 46.0% | 2023 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Expense is a decrease in net worth resulting from a transaction. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.
Methodology
Original contributors: Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF); World Development Indicators, World Bank (WB); National Accounts data files, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Unit
% of GDP