South Korea: Government spending, percent of GDP

The latest value from 2022 is 18.77 percent, an increase from 18.16 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 16.25 percent, based on data from 143 countries. Historically, the average for South Korea from 1960 to 2022 is 12.07 percent. The minimum value, 8.21 percent, was reached in 1964 while the maximum of 18.77 percent was recorded in 2022. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The government size of South Korea 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.