United States Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
United States's government spending was 26.22% in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 5.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
United States's government spending stood at 26.22% in 2025, a rise of +1.32% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 26.22% by 2025. United States ranked 71st globally.
United States government spending as a share of GDP has risen steadily over the 53‑year series, moving from an all‑time trough of 17.80 % in 1972 to a peak of 32.27 % in 2020, before easing to 26.22 % in 2025, which places the United States 71st worldwide. The post‑pandemic decline from the 2020 high reflects a partial rollback of emergency fiscal measures, yet the 2025 level remains well above the pre‑1970s baseline and comparable to peer economies such as Japan’s 27.19 % and Ghana’s 26.78 % in the same year. The long‑run upward trajectory is driven by expanding entitlement programs, defense outlays and discretionary spending that have outpaced GDP growth. Demographic aging, health‑care cost inflation and periodic stimulus packages are likely to keep the ratio elevated, while potential reforms to entitlement programs or a sustained surge in productivity could moderate future increases.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 25.94% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 26.22% | - | - |
| 2025 | 26.22% | +1.32% | #71 |
| 2023 | 24.90% | −0.15% | #37 |
| 2022 | 25.05% | −6.75% | #44 |
| 2021 | 31.79% | −0.48% | #75 |
| 2020 | 32.27% | +9.59% | #77 |
| 2019 | 22.68% | +0.38% | #57 |
| 2018 | 22.30% | +0.01% | #57 |
| 2017 | 22.29% | −0.25% | #57 |
| 2016 | 22.55% | +0.06% | #57 |
| 2015 | 22.48% | −0.20% | #59 |
| 2014 | 22.68% | −0.25% | #56 |
| 2013 | 22.93% | −0.98% | #53 |
| 2012 | 23.91% | −1.43% | #62 |
| 2011 | 25.35% | −0.71% | #65 |
| 2010 | 26.05% | +0.48% | #67 |
Analysis
United States's government spending was 26.22% in 2025, a rise of +1.32% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 26.22% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's government spending was 26.22% in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 5.3% increase from the previous year.
United States's government spending peaked at 32.27% in 2020.
The lowest government spending in United States was 17.80% in 1972.
United States ranks 71st globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United States's government spending is projected to reach 26.22% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of United States in 2025 was 26.22%. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_government-spending,
title = {United States Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}