Thailand Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Thailand's government spending was 23.37% in 2025, ranked 77th globally. This represents a 12.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Thailand's government spending stood at 23.37% in 2025, a rise of +2.60% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.37% by 2025. Thailand ranked 77th globally.
Thailand’s general government expenditure as a share of GDP has risen steadily over the 53‑year series, moving from a low of 10.33 percent in 1974 to a peak of 25.13 percent in 2021, before easing to 23.37 percent in 2025, ranking 77th globally. The post‑COVID‑19 surge to the 2021 high reflected expansive fiscal stimulus and heightened public‑investment programmes, while the modest decline by 2025 suggests a gradual rebalancing of budgetary priorities. Compared with peers of similar rank, Thailand’s 2025 level is close to Mexico’s 23.75 percent and Kyrgyz Republic’s 23.60 percent, indicating a comparable fiscal stance among middle‑income economies. The long‑term upward trajectory is anchored in recurring infrastructure projects and social‑welfare spending, yet future shifts could be driven by demographic ageing, debt sustainability concerns, or a reorientation toward fiscal consolidation, which would likely moderate the upward trend in government spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 23.73% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 23.37% | - | - |
| 2025 | 23.37% | +2.60% | #77 |
| 2023 | 20.77% | −1.47% | #27 |
| 2022 | 22.23% | −2.90% | #33 |
| 2021 | 25.13% | +2.30% | #53 |
| 2020 | 22.83% | +4.16% | #41 |
| 2019 | 18.67% | −0.35% | #41 |
| 2018 | 19.02% | −0.10% | #44 |
| 2017 | 19.12% | −0.54% | #49 |
| 2016 | 19.67% | +0.27% | #50 |
| 2015 | 19.39% | −0.60% | #47 |
| 2014 | 20.00% | +0.18% | #46 |
| 2013 | 19.82% | +1.20% | #44 |
| 2012 | 18.62% | −0.80% | #42 |
| 2011 | 19.42% | +2.01% | #39 |
| 2010 | 17.41% | −1.00% | #34 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand's government spending was 23.37% in 2025. Ranked 77th globally. This represents a 12.5% increase from the previous year.
Thailand's government spending peaked at 25.13% in 2021.
The lowest government spending in Thailand was 10.33% in 1974.
Thailand ranks 77th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Thailand's government spending is projected to reach 23.37% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Thailand in 2025 was 23.37%. This ranks 77th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_government-spending,
title = {Thailand Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}