Maldives Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Maldives's government spending was 29.48% in 2021, ranked 63rd globally. This represents a 16.6% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2021.
Overview
Maldives's government spending stood at 29.48% in 2021, a decline of +5.87% from 2020. Maldives ranked 63rd globally.
Maldives’ government spending as a share of GDP rose markedly over the three‑decade span from 1990 to 2021, climbing from a low of 16.59 % in the earliest year to 29.48 % in 2021, the latter placing the archipelago 63rd worldwide. The upward trajectory accelerated after the 1990 trough, reaching an all‑time peak of 35.35 % in 2020, a spike that reflected expansive fiscal responses to the COVID‑19 pandemic and heightened infrastructure investment in tourism‑driven projects. By comparison, Brazil recorded a similar level of 29.50 % in the same year, while Korea’s spending stood at 28.55 %, underscoring Maldives’ convergence with middle‑income peers despite its small size. The sustained rise suggests that fiscal policy has become a central tool for development, yet the 2020 peak also signals vulnerability to external shocks. If the government maintains a balanced budget stance while diversifying revenue sources, the upward trend may moderate, allowing spending to stabilize at a level that supports growth without crowding out private investment.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29.48% | −5.87% | #63 |
| 2020 | 35.35% | +9.93% | #92 |
| 2019 | 25.41% | +3.44% | #70 |
| 2018 | 21.97% | +1.62% | #53 |
| 2017 | 20.35% | −3.85% | #54 |
| 2016 | 24.20% | −2.32% | #64 |
| 2015 | 26.53% | +1.87% | #75 |
| 2014 | 24.65% | +2.25% | #67 |
| 2011 | 22.40% | −3.04% | #51 |
| 2010 | 25.44% | −3.76% | #64 |
| 2009 | 29.20% | +3.53% | #68 |
| 2008 | 25.67% | −1.76% | #60 |
| 2007 | 27.43% | −0.38% | #62 |
| 2006 | 27.81% | −3.37% | #62 |
| 2005 | 31.18% | +13.43% | #76 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's government spending was 29.48% in 2021. Ranked 63rd globally. This represents a 16.6% decrease from the previous year.
Maldives's government spending peaked at 35.35% in 2020.
The lowest government spending in Maldives was 16.59% in 1990.
Maldives ranks 63rd 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 Maldives in 2021 was 29.48%. This ranks 63rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_government-spending,
title = {Maldives Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}