Government expenditure (% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea

In 2025, general government expenditure as a share of GDP in Papua New Guinea was 19.7 %, down from 20.9 % in 2024. Explore the historical series and compare Papua New Guinea with other economies below.

Government expenditure (% of GDP)

Total expenditure of the general government

Papua New Guinea

Year	%
2025	19.7
2024	20.9
2023	22.3
2022	21.9
2021	22.0
2020	23.5
2019	21.3
2018	20.3
2017	18.4
2016	20.9
2015	22.8
2014	27.1
2013	27.6
2012	22.4
2011	19.7
2010	18.4
2009	24.7
2008	19.8
2007	18.0
2006	19.4
2005	20.6
2004	19.4
2003	18.7
2002	20.8
2001	21.6
2000	20.5

How Papua New Guinea compares

Government expenditure (% of GDP) compared with other countries

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Government expenditure (% of GDP)

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.

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.