Denmark vs South Africa: Government spending vs. GDP
Denmark
81.79 billion constant 2015 US$
in 2025
South Africa
71.62 billion constant 2015 US$
in 2025
Denmark rank
27th
South Africa rank
29th
Government spending vs. GDP over time
- Denmark
- South Africa
How they compare
Denmark currently reports 81.79 billion constant 2015 US$ against 71.62 billion constant 2015 US$ in South Africa, a difference of 10.18 billion constant 2015 US$.
That makes Denmark's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.
Across all 60 years both countries report, Denmark has been ahead every year.
Denmark ranks 27th and South Africa ranks 29th of 166 countries.
Denmark has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Denmark | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 28.39 billion constant 2015 US$ | 13.20 billion constant 2015 US$ | 15.19 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
| 1970s | 38.51 billion constant 2015 US$ | 19.90 billion constant 2015 US$ | 18.61 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
| 1980s | 48.48 billion constant 2015 US$ | 31.38 billion constant 2015 US$ | 17.10 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
| 1990s | 53.70 billion constant 2015 US$ | 38.40 billion constant 2015 US$ | 15.30 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
| 2000s | 66.38 billion constant 2015 US$ | 48.27 billion constant 2015 US$ | 18.12 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
| 2010s | 76.26 billion constant 2015 US$ | 64.97 billion constant 2015 US$ | 11.29 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
| 2020s | 80.18 billion constant 2015 US$ | 70.88 billion constant 2015 US$ | 9.30 billion constant 2015 US$ | Denmark |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher government spending vs. gdp, Denmark or South Africa?
- Denmark, at 81.79 billion constant 2015 US$ against 71.62 billion constant 2015 US$ in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in government spending vs. gdp between Denmark and South Africa?
- 10.18 billion constant 2015 US$, with Denmark ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Denmark and South Africa?
- 60 years are reported by both, from 1966 to 2025.
- How do Denmark and South Africa rank globally for government spending vs. gdp?
- Denmark ranks 27th and South Africa ranks 29th of 166 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) β processed by Our World in Data, published as Government spending vs. GDP. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
General government final consumption expenditure includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). Both measures are expressed in constant 2015 US$.