Malta Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Malta's government spending was 35.43% in 2025, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Malta's government spending stood at 35.43% in 2025, a rise of +1.73% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 35.43% by 2025. Malta ranked 38th globally.
Malta’s government spending as a share of GDP has hovered around the mid‑30s percent range for more than five decades, reaching 35.43 in 2025, which places the nation 38th globally. The indicator rose from an early baseline of 33.68 in 1972, peaked at 42.33 in 2003 during a period of robust public investment, and fell to a trough of 24.68 in 1980 amid fiscal tightening. Since the early 2000s the level has gradually retreated, settling at a figure only slightly above that of North Macedonia (34.57) and below Spain (35.58), suggesting a convergence with other small‑open economies that balance social spending with debt sustainability. The long‑term trajectory reflects Malta’s reliance on a diversified service sector and the need to fund infrastructure and education while maintaining fiscal prudence. Future movements will likely depend on the government’s response to demographic pressures and EU fiscal guidelines, which could either lift spending modestly or reinforce the recent downward bias.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 35.29% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 35.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 35.43% | +1.73% | #38 |
| 2023 | 33.69% | −2.80% | #58 |
| 2022 | 36.49% | −0.66% | #87 |
| 2021 | 37.15% | −2.70% | #97 |
| 2020 | 39.85% | +7.15% | #105 |
| 2019 | 32.70% | +0.11% | #100 |
| 2018 | 32.59% | +0.78% | #102 |
| 2017 | 31.82% | −2.64% | #106 |
| 2016 | 34.46% | −0.90% | #110 |
| 2015 | 35.36% | −2.38% | #115 |
| 2014 | 37.74% | −1.12% | #115 |
| 2013 | 38.86% | −1.01% | #108 |
| 2012 | 39.87% | −0.58% | #114 |
| 2011 | 40.45% | +0.78% | #109 |
| 2010 | 39.67% | −1.29% | #107 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malta matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malta's government spending was 35.43% in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from the previous year.
Malta's government spending peaked at 42.33% in 2003.
The lowest government spending in Malta was 24.68% in 1980.
Malta ranks 38th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malta's government spending is projected to reach 35.43% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Malta in 2025 was 35.43%. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malta_government-spending,
title = {Malta Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malta/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}