Eswatini Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Eswatini's government spending was 24.62% in 2021, ranked 49th globally. This represents a 5.6% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1999–2021.
Overview
Eswatini's government spending stood at 24.62% in 2021, a decline of +1.45% from 2020. Eswatini ranked 49th globally.
Eswatini’s government spending as a share of GDP has hovered around the mid‑20s percent for more than two decades, reaching 24.62 in 2021 and ranking 49th globally. The indicator rose from a low of 16.75 in 2000, climbed steadily and peaked at 27.80 in 2016 before settling back to its current level, suggesting that the expansion of public expenditures during the mid‑2010s was not sustained. Over the 22‑year series, the kingdom’s fiscal footprint is comparable to peers such as Albania (24.40) and the Bahamas (24.66), both of which occupy similar positions in the World Bank rankings. The post‑peak moderation may reflect constraints on fiscal capacity or shifts in policy priorities, while the modest increase since the trough indicates a gradual rebalancing of public spending. Continued economic diversification and improved revenue mobilisation could lift the trajectory, whereas persistent fiscal pressures would likely keep the share near its recent plateau.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24.62% | −1.45% | #49 |
| 2020 | 26.07% | +0.79% | #54 |
| 2019 | 25.28% | −1.48% | #69 |
| 2018 | 26.76% | −0.31% | #77 |
| 2017 | 27.07% | −0.73% | #86 |
| 2016 | 27.80% | +1.08% | #89 |
| 2015 | 26.72% | +1.41% | #79 |
| 2014 | 25.30% | +2.32% | #69 |
| 2012 | 22.98% | +0.30% | #57 |
| 2011 | 22.68% | −2.45% | #55 |
| 2010 | 25.13% | −1.17% | #61 |
| 2009 | 26.30% | −0.20% | #60 |
| 2008 | 26.50% | +4.53% | #62 |
| 2007 | 21.97% | −0.81% | #46 |
| 2006 | 22.78% | +1.35% | #47 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Eswatini matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Eswatini's government spending was 24.62% in 2021. Ranked 49th globally. This represents a 5.6% decrease from the previous year.
Eswatini's government spending peaked at 27.80% in 2016.
The lowest government spending in Eswatini was 16.75% in 2000.
Eswatini ranks 49th globally in government spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The government spending of Eswatini in 2021 was 24.62%. This ranks 49th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_eswatini_government-spending,
title = {Eswatini Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/eswatini/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}