Government expenditure (% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia

In 2025, general government expenditure as a share of GDP in Saudi Arabia was 29.0 %, down from 29.2 % in 2024. Explore the historical series and compare Saudi Arabia with other economies below.

Government expenditure (% of GDP)

Total expenditure of the general government

Saudi Arabia

Year	%
2025	29.0
2024	29.2
2023	28.3
2022	25.3
2021	28.2
2020	37.4
2019	31.8
2018	32.4
2017	30.9
2016	33.3
2015	38.5
2014	38.6
2013	34.5
2012	32.5
2011	32.4
2010	33.0
2009	37.1
2008	26.7
2007	29.5
2006	27.3
2005	28.2
2004	31.1
2003	33.1
2002	35.9
2001	36.9
2000	33.1

How Saudi Arabia compares

Government expenditure (% of GDP) compared with other countries

More chart options

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.