Portugal Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Portugal's government spending was 37.13% in 2025, ranked 29th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2025.
Overview
Portugal's government spending stood at 37.13% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 37.13% by 2025. Portugal ranked 29th globally.
Portugal's government spending has exhibited a notable fluctuation over the past five decades, with a significant peak in 2014 when it reached 47.56% of GDP. This was a response to the country's financial crisis, which necessitated increased government intervention to stabilize the economy. Conversely, the all-time trough in 1975 saw government spending at a mere 23.72% of GDP. As of 2025, Portugal's government spending has decreased to 37.13% of GDP, ranking it 29th globally. This development is comparable to that of Macao SAR, China, which also recorded a government spending percentage of 37.29% in 2025. The downward trend in government spending suggests a gradual shift towards fiscal consolidation, with potential implications for Portugal's economic growth and public debt dynamics. A sustained decline in government spending could, however, compromise the country's ability to invest in critical public services and infrastructure, potentially altering the trajectory of its economic recovery.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 36.31% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 37.13% | - | - |
| 2025 | 37.13% | −0.03% | #29 |
| 2023 | 37.16% | −2.15% | #69 |
| 2022 | 39.31% | −3.14% | #91 |
| 2021 | 42.45% | −2.07% | #117 |
| 2020 | 44.53% | +5.86% | #122 |
| 2019 | 38.67% | −0.61% | #123 |
| 2018 | 39.28% | −2.39% | #125 |
| 2017 | 41.67% | +0.35% | #134 |
| 2016 | 41.32% | −2.68% | #133 |
| 2015 | 44.00% | −3.56% | #137 |
| 2014 | 47.56% | +1.98% | #136 |
| 2013 | 45.58% | +1.22% | #122 |
| 2012 | 44.36% | −0.11% | #123 |
| 2011 | 44.48% | +0.33% | #119 |
| 2010 | 44.15% | +0.87% | #118 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal 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 →
Recent European headlines highlight widespread concerns over government debt, tight budgets, and perceived underfunding of public services like education, which are fueling protests and economic pressures across the continent. While Portugal's government spending stands at 37.13%, these developments suggest that managing fiscal sustainability alongside public demands for adequate services is a critical challenge. The "
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal's government spending was 37.13% in 2025. Ranked 29th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Portugal's government spending peaked at 47.56% in 2014.
The lowest government spending in Portugal was 23.72% in 1975.
Portugal ranks 29th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Portugal's government spending is projected to reach 37.13% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Portugal in 2025 was 37.13%. This ranks 29th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_government-spending,
title = {Portugal Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}