The state has grown from a tenth to half of GDP
Original title: Government spending as share of GDP · Our World in Data · 12 Jun 2026
Original chart: Our World in Data
So what
Before 1914 most governments spent around 10% of GDP; today France spends 57%, Germany and Sweden about half, the US 38%. Almost all of the rise came between 1913 and 1980, driven by wars and the welfare state. With ageing and defence pressures, the next move is more likely up than down.
- Data sources
- International Monetary Fund (Public Finances in Modern History)
- Authors
- Our World in Data
- Source article
- Read the source article ↗
- Rights
- Third-party rights need checking. The chart is not reproduced here.
- Publisher terms
- Read Our World in Data’s terms ↗

