Government expenditure (% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe

In 2025, general government expenditure as a share of GDP in Sao Tome and Principe was 21.2 %, down from 23.8 % in 2024. Explore the historical series and compare Sao Tome and Principe with other economies below.

Government expenditure (% of GDP)

Total expenditure of the general government

Sao Tome and Principe

Year	%
2025	21.2
2024	23.8
2023	23.9
2022	27.7
2021	25.6
2020	23.2
2019	22.8
2018	28.0
2017	31.9
2016	38.3
2015	41.6
2014	36.0
2013	35.5
2012	50.5
2011	53.4
2010	51.7
2009	48.6
2008	30.4
2007	38.9
2006	32.5
2005	43.7
2004	60.6
2003	51.9
2002	44.3
2001	52.8
2000	10.7

How Sao Tome and Principe compares

Government expenditure (% of GDP) compared with other countries

More chart options

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.