China vs European Union: General government final consumption expenditure
General government final consumption expenditure over time
- China
- European Union
How they compare
European Union currently reports 4.59 trillion current US$ against 3.13 trillion current US$ in China, a difference of 1.46 trillion current US$.
That makes European Union's figure about 1.5 times China's.
Across all 55 years both countries report, European Union has been ahead every year.
China ranks 2nd and European Union ranks 1st of 186 countries.
European Union has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | European Union | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 17.56 billion current US$ | 304.47 billion current US$ | 286.91 billion current US$ | European Union |
| 1980s | 36.17 billion current US$ | 731.20 billion current US$ | 695.03 billion current US$ | European Union |
| 1990s | 100.12 billion current US$ | 1.52 trillion current US$ | 1.42 trillion current US$ | European Union |
| 2000s | 399.49 billion current US$ | 2.34 trillion current US$ | 1.94 trillion current US$ | European Union |
| 2010s | 1.74 trillion current US$ | 3.17 trillion current US$ | 1.43 trillion current US$ | European Union |
| 2020s | 2.99 trillion current US$ | 3.81 trillion current US$ | 827.32 billion current US$ | European Union |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher general government final consumption expenditure, China or European Union?
- European Union, at 4.59 trillion current US$ against 3.13 trillion current US$ in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in general government final consumption expenditure between China and European Union?
- 1.46 trillion current US$, with European Union ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and European Union?
- 55 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2024.
- How do China and European Union rank globally for general government final consumption expenditure?
- China ranks 2nd and European Union ranks 1st of 186 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as General government final consumption expenditure (current US$). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
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About this data
Final consumption expenditure is expenditure on goods and services by resident institutional units for the direct satisfaction of human needs or wants, whether individual or collective. General government FCE includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees), and most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.