Government expenditure (% of GDP) in the United Kingdom

In 2025, general government expenditure as a share of GDP in the United Kingdom was 43.6 %, down from 43.7 % in 2024. Explore the historical series and compare the United Kingdom with other economies below.

Government expenditure (% of GDP)

Total expenditure of the general government

United Kingdom

Year	%
2025	43.6
2024	43.7
2023	44.2
2022	43.2
2021	44.9
2020	49.3
2019	38.3
2018	38.5
2017	38.8
2016	39.3
2015	40.1
2014	40.8
2013	41.6
2012	43.3
2011	43.3
2010	44.5
2009	44.2
2008	40.6
2007	38.4
2006	38.2
2005	38.3
2004	37.9
2003	37.0
2002	35.8
2001	34.5
2000	33.8

How United Kingdom 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.