West Bank and Gaza Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
West Bank and Gaza's government spending was 26.17% in 2021, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 10.5% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 2005–2021.
Overview
West Bank and Gaza's government spending stood at 26.17% in 2021, a decline of +3.07% from 2020. West Bank and Gaza ranked 56th globally.
Government spending in the West Bank and Gaza fell from 36.57 % of GDP in 2005 to a nadir of 24.47 % in 2019, marking the lowest level recorded over the 17‑year series, before edging up to 26.17 % in 2021, which placed the territory 56th in the World Bank’s global ranking. The all‑time peak of 42.97 % occurred in 2006, a year that followed the intensification of political instability and heightened fiscal pressures, while the subsequent decline reflects a combination of reduced external assistance and constrained revenue‑raising capacity. By comparison, peer economies such as Morocco (25.63 % in 2021) and Azerbaijan (27.14 % in 2021) have maintained spending ratios closer to the regional average, suggesting that the West Bank and Gaza’s fiscal trajectory remains divergent. Continued improvement in donor flows, reforms to broaden the tax base, and a stabilization of the security environment could reverse the downward trend and lift the spending share toward the levels observed in its peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26.17% | −3.07% | #56 |
| 2020 | 29.23% | +4.77% | #66 |
| 2019 | 24.47% | −0.15% | #67 |
| 2018 | 24.62% | −2.26% | #70 |
| 2017 | 26.87% | +1.20% | #84 |
| 2016 | 25.67% | −1.32% | #71 |
| 2015 | 26.99% | +0.36% | #81 |
| 2014 | 26.63% | +1.43% | #79 |
| 2013 | 25.20% | −0.50% | #66 |
| 2012 | 25.70% | −2.49% | #70 |
| 2011 | 28.19% | −3.55% | #77 |
| 2010 | 31.75% | −5.49% | #86 |
| 2009 | 37.23% | −4.30% | #90 |
| 2008 | 41.53% | +3.05% | #106 |
| 2007 | 38.48% | −4.48% | #99 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
West Bank and Gaza matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2008. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
West Bank and Gaza's government spending was 26.17% in 2021. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 10.5% decrease from the previous year.
West Bank and Gaza's government spending peaked at 42.97% in 2006.
The lowest government spending in West Bank and Gaza was 24.47% in 2019.
West Bank and Gaza ranks 56th globally in government spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The government spending of West Bank and Gaza in 2021 was 26.17%. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_west-bank-and-gaza_government-spending,
title = {West Bank and Gaza Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/west-bank-and-gaza/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}