Greece Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Greece's government spending was 48.98% in 2025, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 3.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Greece's government spending stood at 48.98% in 2025, a rise of +1.68% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 48.98% by 2025. Greece ranked 4th globally.
Greece’s government spending as a share of gross domestic product has risen sharply over the 49‑year series, moving from a low of 16.03 % in 1973 to an all‑time peak of 61.35 % in 2013, before easing to 48.98 % in 2025, which places it fourth globally among the countries tracked by the World Bank. The post‑2008 financial crisis prompted an expansion of fiscal outlays, reflected in the 2013 apex, while subsequent consolidation measures have moderated the ratio without returning to pre‑crisis levels. Greece’s 2025 figure is closely aligned with France’s 48.65 % and slightly above Austria’s 47.88 %, yet remains well below Italy’s 50.79 % and far beneath Ukraine’s 79.67 %. The long‑run upward trajectory suggests that future fiscal policy will hinge on the balance between debt sustainability and public investment needs; a sustained improvement in primary balances or a shift toward growth‑enhancing spending could temper the upward pressure on the ratio.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 48.33% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 48.98% | - | - |
| 2025 | 48.98% | +1.68% | #4 |
| 2023 | 47.30% | −3.50% | #84 |
| 2022 | 50.80% | −4.03% | #108 |
| 2021 | 54.83% | −3.24% | #124 |
| 2020 | 58.07% | +11.14% | #132 |
| 2019 | 46.93% | −1.10% | #134 |
| 2018 | 48.02% | +0.35% | #135 |
| 2017 | 47.67% | −1.18% | #140 |
| 2016 | 48.86% | −3.36% | #141 |
| 2015 | 52.21% | +2.46% | #142 |
| 2014 | 49.75% | −11.61% | #139 |
| 2013 | 61.35% | +3.98% | #131 |
| 2012 | 57.38% | +2.59% | #133 |
| 2011 | 54.78% | +3.71% | #127 |
| 2010 | 51.08% | −0.89% | #124 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Greece matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1996. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Greece's government spending was 48.98% in 2025. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 3.5% increase from the previous year.
Greece's government spending peaked at 61.35% in 2013.
The lowest government spending in Greece was 16.03% in 1973.
Greece ranks 4th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Greece's government spending is projected to reach 48.98% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Greece in 2025 was 48.98%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_greece_government-spending,
title = {Greece Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/greece/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}