Kiribati Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Kiribati's government spending was 93.28% in 2025, ranked 1st globally. This represents a 10.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2011–2025.
Overview
Kiribati's government spending stood at 93.28% in 2025, a rise of +8.71% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 93.28% by 2025. Kiribati ranked 1st globally.
Kiribati’s government spending as a share of GDP has risen sharply over the 14‑year series, moving from 59.28 in 2011 to an all‑time peak of 93.28 in 2025, the highest level recorded among all nations in the World Bank database. The trough of the series occurred in 2014 at 55.25, after which the fiscal trajectory turned upward, accelerating in the late‑2010s and culminating in a 68.5‑percentage‑point increase by 2025. This expansion outpaces peer economies such as Ukraine, whose 2025 spending ratio stands at 79.67, and is markedly higher than the 50.79 recorded for Italy. The rapid rise reflects intensified public investment and heightened fiscal transfers, likely driven by climate‑adaptation projects and infrastructure needs unique to low‑lying island states. If external financing conditions remain favourable and domestic revenue reforms are implemented, the upward momentum may persist; however, any deterioration in aid flows or a surge in debt service costs could temper future spending growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 96.77% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 93.28% | - | - |
| 2025 | 93.28% | +8.71% | #1 |
| 2023 | 84.56% | +2.68% | #86 |
| 2022 | 81.88% | −2.23% | #111 |
| 2021 | 84.12% | +8.14% | #125 |
| 2020 | 75.97% | +5.89% | #135 |
| 2019 | 70.08% | +8.37% | #137 |
| 2018 | 61.71% | −2.70% | #137 |
| 2017 | 64.41% | +3.02% | #144 |
| 2016 | 61.40% | +2.66% | #143 |
| 2015 | 58.73% | +3.49% | #144 |
| 2014 | 55.25% | −4.96% | #141 |
| 2013 | 60.20% | −1.96% | #130 |
| 2012 | 62.16% | +2.88% | #134 |
| 2011 | 59.28% | – | #128 |
Analysis
Kiribati's government spending was 93.28% in 2025, a rise of +8.71% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 93.28% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kiribati's government spending was 93.28% in 2025. Ranked 1st globally. This represents a 10.3% increase from the previous year.
Kiribati's government spending peaked at 93.28% in 2025.
The lowest government spending in Kiribati was 55.25% in 2014.
Kiribati ranks 1st globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kiribati's government spending is projected to reach 93.28% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Kiribati in 2025 was 93.28%. This ranks 1st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kiribati_government-spending,
title = {Kiribati Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kiribati/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}