Vanuatu Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Vanuatu's government spending was 30.13% in 2025, ranked 54th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Vanuatu's government spending stood at 30.13% in 2025, a rise of +1.80% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 30.13% by 2025. Vanuatu ranked 54th globally.
Vanuatu’s government spending as a share of GDP has risen steadily over the 22‑year series, moving from 19.69 % in 1990 to a World Bank‑reported 30.13 % in 2025, placing the nation 54th globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 18.82 % recorded in 1999, reaching an all‑time peak of 34.26 % in 2021 before moderating slightly in the most recent year. This pattern mirrors the fiscal intensity of peers such as Mozambique (30.37 % in 2025) and Jordan (30.03 % in 2025), suggesting that Vanuatu’s spending level is now comparable to other small‑to‑medium economies that have expanded public investment to support infrastructure and social services. The modest decline from the 2021 peak indicates a possible rebalancing of fiscal priorities, but continued pressure from climate‑related resilience projects and tourism recovery could sustain higher spending ratios. If fiscal consolidation measures are not introduced, the upward trend is likely to persist, keeping Vanuatu near the upper tier of government‑spending shares.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 29.90% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 30.13% | - | - |
| 2025 | 30.13% | +1.80% | #54 |
| 2023 | 28.34% | −2.42% | #46 |
| 2022 | 30.76% | −3.50% | #61 |
| 2021 | 34.26% | +0.22% | #84 |
| 2020 | 34.04% | +6.20% | #85 |
| 2019 | 27.84% | +2.22% | #78 |
| 2018 | 25.62% | −1.31% | #74 |
| 2017 | 26.93% | +2.12% | #85 |
| 2016 | 24.81% | +1.68% | #67 |
| 2015 | 23.13% | +0.14% | #63 |
| 2014 | 22.99% | +1.10% | #58 |
| 2013 | 21.89% | −0.85% | #50 |
| 2012 | 22.74% | +0.08% | #55 |
| 2011 | 22.66% | −0.58% | #54 |
| 2010 | 23.25% | +2.26% | #54 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Vanuatu matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanuatu's government spending was 30.13% in 2025. Ranked 54th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from the previous year.
Vanuatu's government spending peaked at 34.26% in 2021.
The lowest government spending in Vanuatu was 18.82% in 1999.
Vanuatu ranks 54th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Vanuatu's government spending is projected to reach 30.13% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Vanuatu in 2025 was 30.13%. This ranks 54th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_vanuatu_government-spending,
title = {Vanuatu Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/vanuatu/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}