Government expenditure (% of GDP) in Norway
In 2025, general government expenditure as a share of GDP in Norway was 49.6 %, up from 46.9 % in 2024. This gives Norway the 21st-highest globally (out of 194 economies with available data).
Government expenditure (% of GDP)
Total expenditure of the general government
Norway
How Norway compares
Government expenditure (% of GDP)
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About this indicator
This indicator measures general government total expenditure as a percentage of GDP. It captures all spending by the consolidated public sector in a given year, including wages and social benefits, interest payments, subsidies, transfers, and net acquisition of nonfinancial assets. Comparing expenditure-to-GDP ratios across countries shows the size of government relative to the economy. A higher ratio means the public sector accounts for a larger share of economic activity.
The series follows the IMF World Economic Outlook definition of government expenditure, under the Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM) framework.
The series follows the IMF World Economic Outlook definition of government expenditure, under the Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM) framework.
Sources and updates
Data sources
The data for this indicator are drawn from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Last update
This indicator was last updated on Econorama on 18 June 2026 and reflects the latest data available from the underlying sources at that time.
More on Norway
Public Finance
Government debt (% of GDP)
Gross debt of the general government
Rank118th of 190
Public debt per capita
Gross debt of the general government, in current international dollars
Rank16th of 191
Government budget balance (% of GDP)
Positive values indicate a surplus; negative values indicate a deficit
Rank3rd of 194
Interest paid on public debt (% of GDP)
Gross interest payments by the general government
Rank19th of 35
Interest paid on public debt (% of government revenue)
Gross interest payments as a share of general government revenue
Rank25th of 35