Portugal Government Spending to GDP
General government expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Government Spending to GDP in Portugal increased to 42.77 percent of GDP in 2024 from 42.31 percent of GDP in 2023.
Portugal Government Spending to GDP — History
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Portugal Government Spending to GDP — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Government Spending to GDP in Portugal increased to 42.77 percent of GDP in 2024 from 42.31 percent of GDP in 2023.
Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2023) it was 42.3%, so the latest figure is 0.5 percentage points higher.
Over the past five years the average was 45.1%, with a range from 42.3% to 49.1%. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1880 and has 142 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 85% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 51.7% (2014) and the lowest is 6.0% (1882). The long-run average is 21.4%.
Compared with other countries
Among 151 economies with recent data, Portugal ranks 36th from the top. The median across all these economies is 30.3%, so Portugal is above the typical country.
Within Europe & Central Asia (41 economies with data) it ranks 25th; the regional median is 44.4%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 42.8%2024
- Previous
- 42.3%
- 5-year average
- 45.1%
- Long-run average
- 21.4%since 1880
- All-time high
- 51.7%2014
- All-time low
- 6.0%1882
- Observations
- 142Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42.8% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2023 | 42.3% | ▼ −1.6 pp |
| 2022 | 43.9% | ▼ −3.5 pp |
| 2021 | 47.3% | ▼ −1.8 pp |
| 2020 | 49.1% | ▲ +6.6 pp |
| 2019 | 42.5% | ▼ −0.8 pp |
| 2018 | 43.3% | ▼ −2.2 pp |
| 2017 | 45.5% | ▲ +0.6 pp |
| 2016 | 44.9% | ▼ −3.3 pp |
| 2015 | 48.2% | ▼ −3.4 pp |
| 2014 | 51.7% | ▲ +1.7 pp |
| 2013 | 50.0% | ▲ +1.1 pp |
| 2012 | 48.8% | ▼ −1.2 pp |
| 2011 | 50.0% | ▼ −1.3 pp |
| 2010 | 51.3% | ▲ +1.5 pp |
| 2009 | 49.9% | ▲ +5.1 pp |
| 2008 | 44.8% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2007 | 44.4% | ▼ −0.2 pp |
| 2006 | 44.5% | ▼ −1.2 pp |
| 2005 | 45.8% | ▲ +1.1 pp |
| 2004 | 44.7% | ▲ +0.9 pp |
| 2003 | 43.8% | ▲ +1.5 pp |
| 2002 | 42.3% | ▼ −0.2 pp |
| 2001 | 42.5% | ▲ +1.4 pp |
| 2000 | 41.1% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 1999 | 41.0% | ▲ +0.2 pp |
| 1998 | 40.8% | ▼ −0.3 pp |
| 1997 | 41.1% | ▼ −0.9 pp |
| 1996 | 42.1% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 1995 | 41.5% |
Government Spending to GDP — Portugal vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Portugal highlighted.
More Portugal indicators
Understanding Government Spending to GDP — a simple guide
What it measures
General government expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
How it is calculated
Total government expenditure ÷ GDP × 100.
28% means government spending equals 28% of GDP.
A large public sector role in the economy.
A smaller public sector role.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
The ratio shows the size of the public sector in the economy.
How to read it
Read with revenue: the gap between the two is the fiscal balance.
Data source
IMF — Public Finances in Modern History (series exp), annual data from 1880 to 2024. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current government spending to gdp of Portugal?
What is the highest and lowest government spending to gdp of Portugal?
What does government spending to gdp measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.