Saudi Arabia: Government spending, percent of GDP

The latest value from 2023 is 23.33 percent, an increase from 20.83 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 16.14 percent, based on data from 130 countries. Historically, the average for Saudi Arabia from 1968 to 2023 is 23.4 percent. The minimum value, 8.43 percent, was reached in 1974 while the maximum of 35.22 percent was recorded in 1987. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The government size of Saudi Arabia and other countries is calculated as the total government spending as percent of GDP.

Definition: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.