United Kingdom—Government Expenditure (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #15 of 138Updated April 2026
Latest Value
41.2%
2023
YoY Change
+1.4%
2022 → 2023
Global Rank
#15
of 138 countries
Maximum
47.5%
2020
Minimum
34.0%
2000
CAGR
+0.8%
24 years
Last
41.2%
Previous
40.7%
Highest
47.5%
Lowest
34.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
United Kingdom's government expenditure (% of gdp) was 41.2% in 2023, ranking #15 out of 138 countries. This represents a +1.4% change from 2022. Over the past 24 years, the highest recorded value was 47.5% (2020) and the lowest was 34.0% (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41.2% | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 40.7% | -5.3% |
| 2021 | 42.9% | -9.6% |
| 2020 | 47.5% | +30.6% |
| 2019 | 36.4% | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 37.2% | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 36.8% | -0.5% |
| 2016 | 37.0% | -3.1% |
| 2015 | 38.2% | -2.4% |
| 2014 | 39.1% | -2.2% |
| 2013 | 40.0% | -7.2% |
| 2012 | 43.1% | +1.5% |
| 2011 | 42.5% | -3.2% |
| 2010 | 43.9% | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 43.5% | +6.1% |
| 2008 | 41.0% | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 38.2% | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 38.0% | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 37.7% | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 37.3% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 36.8% | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 35.7% | +4.1% |
| 2001 | 34.3% | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 34.0% |
Top Countries — Government Expenditure (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nauru | 103.6% | 2020 |
| 2 | Kiribati | 84.6% | 2023 |
| 3 | Ukraine | 65.6% | 2023 |
| 4 | Marshall Islands | 59.4% | 2020 |
| 5 | Palau | 58.3% | 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 |