As at 13 October 2026 · official data unless labelled

General government expenditure, share of GDP

39.6%Above the OECD median2024vs OECD median 38.7%

What the numbers are telling us

General government expenditure, share of GDP was 39.6% in 2024.

Across 10 OECD countries (2024), Australia ranks 3rd highest of 10 on general government expenditure, share of GDP, above the median of 38.7%.

Why it matters

The size of government relative to the economy.

What it should be

There is no official target for this measure, so it is judged against its own long-run average: a higher or lower reading is not in itself better or worse. The OECD median is 38.7%.

Australia ranks 3rd highest of 10 OECD countries

General government expenditure, share of GDP, 2024; OECD median 38.7%

New Zealand45.25

Israel44.3

Australia39.64

United States39.57

Japan38.73

Colombia38.57

Costa Rica38.24

Korea35.05

Switzerland32.47

Mexico29.19

Source: OECD and World Bank cross-country series as stored.

Every figure on this page is calculated from the stored official series (OECD, Government at a Glance: public finance, yearly updates); the summary is written from the numbers, not edited by hand.