Norway Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Norway's government spending was 28.56% in 2025, ranked 64th globally. This represents a 20.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Norway's government spending stood at 28.56% in 2025, a decline of +7.34% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.56% by 2025. Norway ranked 64th globally.
Norway’s government‑spending share of GDP has remained tightly clustered between 28 % and 29 % for most of the 53‑year series, rising from an early‑record 28.33 in 1972 to 28.56 in 2025, which places the country 64th globally. The only pronounced deviation occurred in the COVID‑19 pandemic era, when the share surged to an all‑time peak of 45.39 in 2020 before retreating to near‑baseline levels. The trough of 28.22 in 1973 marks the lowest point in the series, after which the ratio has hovered within a narrow band. Norway’s current level is comparable to peers such as Ecuador (28.76) and El Salvador (28.37), underscoring a stable fiscal posture relative to other middle‑ranked economies. Should future shocks or major policy reforms arise, the trajectory could shift, but absent such disruptions the spending ratio is likely to remain anchored around the high‑20s.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 26.41% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 28.56% | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.56% | −7.34% | #64 |
| 2023 | 35.89% | +6.60% | #66 |
| 2022 | 29.29% | −7.23% | #58 |
| 2021 | 36.52% | −8.87% | #94 |
| 2020 | 45.39% | +6.83% | #124 |
| 2019 | 38.56% | +1.43% | #122 |
| 2018 | 37.13% | −1.57% | #118 |
| 2017 | 38.69% | −1.04% | #128 |
| 2016 | 39.74% | +1.59% | #126 |
| 2015 | 38.15% | +2.54% | #123 |
| 2014 | 35.61% | +1.41% | #112 |
| 2013 | 34.19% | +0.46% | #97 |
| 2012 | 33.73% | −0.41% | #97 |
| 2011 | 34.14% | −0.58% | #93 |
| 2010 | 34.73% | −0.69% | #92 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Norway matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The provided headlines detail new UK government policies requiring foreign defense contractors to invest back into the British economy, aiming to leverage government spending for domestic job creation and skill development. These developments illustrate a strategic approach to government procurement in a peer nation, where defense spending is used to achieve broader industrial policy goals. However, these headlines do not contain information directly related to Norway's current government spending level of 28.56% or its specific procurement policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norway's government spending was 28.56% in 2025. Ranked 64th globally. This represents a 20.4% decrease from the previous year.
Norway's government spending peaked at 45.39% in 2020.
The lowest government spending in Norway was 28.22% in 1973.
Norway ranks 64th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Norway's government spending is projected to reach 28.56% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Norway in 2025 was 28.56%. This ranks 64th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_norway_government-spending,
title = {Norway Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/norway/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}