Government expenditure (% of GDP) in the Netherlands

In 2025, general government expenditure as a share of GDP in the Netherlands was 45.1 %, up from 44.4 % in 2024. Explore the historical series and compare the Netherlands with other economies below.

Government expenditure (% of GDP)

Total expenditure of the general government

Netherlands

Year	%
2025	45.1
2024	44.4
2023	44.0
2022	43.3
2021	45.9
2020	47.8
2019	42.1
2018	42.4
2017	42.8
2016	43.9
2015	45.3
2014	46.7
2013	47.5
2012	47.6
2011	47.8
2010	48.9
2009	48.4
2008	44.3
2007	43.3
2006	44.0
2005	43.4
2004	44.7
2003	45.8
2002	44.8
2001	44.1
2000	43.2

How Netherlands compares

Government expenditure (% of GDP) compared with other countries

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Government expenditure (% of GDP)

About this indicator

This indicator measures general government total expenditure as a percentage of GDP. It captures all spending by the consolidated public sector in a given year, including wages and social benefits, interest payments, subsidies, transfers, and net acquisition of nonfinancial assets. Comparing expenditure-to-GDP ratios across countries shows the size of government relative to the economy. A higher ratio means the public sector accounts for a larger share of economic activity.
The series follows the IMF World Economic Outlook definition of government expenditure, under the Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM) framework.

Sources and updates

Data sources

The data for this indicator are drawn from the IMF World Economic Outlook.

Last update

This indicator was last updated on Econorama on 18 June 2026 and reflects the latest data available from the underlying sources at that time.