USA: Government spending, percent of GDP

The latest value from 2022 is 14.03 percent, a decline from 14.44 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 16.25 percent, based on data from 143 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1970 to 2022 is 15.55 percent. The minimum value, 13.93 percent, was reached in 2018 while the maximum of 17.96 percent was recorded in 1970. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The government size of the USA 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.