New Zealand Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Overview
New Zealand's government spending stood at 40.66% in 2025, a rise of +5.13% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 40.66% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 19th globally.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 40.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 40.66% | +5.13% | #19 |
| 2022 | 35.53% | +1.92% | #81 |
| 2021 | 33.61% | −2.74% | #83 |
| 2020 | 36.35% | +6.28% | #94 |
| 2019 | 30.06% | +0.38% | #89 |
| 2018 | 29.68% | −0.21% | #90 |
| 2017 | 29.90% | −0.80% | #94 |
| 2016 | 30.70% | −0.82% | #97 |
| 2015 | 31.52% | −0.81% | #101 |
| 2014 | 32.33% | −0.75% | #99 |
| 2013 | 33.07% | −1.89% | #92 |
| 2012 | 34.96% | −5.08% | #101 |
| 2011 | 40.04% | +5.89% | #108 |
| 2010 | 34.15% | +0.09% | #90 |
| 2009 | 34.05% | +1.49% | #81 |
Analysis
New Zealand's government spending was 40.66% in 2025, a rise of +5.13% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 40.66% by 2025.
Recent headlines indicate a strategic shift in New Zealand's government spending, specifically in science funding. The Government is reallocating science spending towards areas with the greatest national impact, focusing on advanced initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's government spending was 40.66% in 2025. Ranked 19th globally. This represents a 14.4% increase from the previous year.
New Zealand's government spending peaked at 41.08% in 1987.
The lowest government spending in New Zealand was 25.91% in 1972.
New Zealand ranks 19th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's government spending is projected to reach 40.66% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of New Zealand in 2025 was 40.66%. This ranks 19th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_government-spending,
title = {New Zealand Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/government-spending},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}