United Kingdom: Government spending, percent of GDP

The latest value from 2025 is 21.23 percent, an increase from 20.9 percent in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 16.56 percent, based on data from 131 countries. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2025 is 19.26 percent. The minimum value, 15.92 percent, was reached in 1998 while the maximum of 22.39 percent was recorded in 1975. See the global rankings or world map for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The government size of the United Kingdom 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.