Germany vs United Kingdom: Government spending vs. GDP
Germany
833.98 billion constant 2015 US$
in 2025
United Kingdom
683.00 billion constant 2015 US$
in 2025
Germany rank
3rd
United Kingdom rank
4th
Government spending vs. GDP over time
- Germany
- United Kingdom
How they compare
Germany currently reports 833.98 billion constant 2015 US$ against 683.00 billion constant 2015 US$ in United Kingdom, a difference of 150.98 billion constant 2015 US$.
That makes Germany's figure about 1.2 times United Kingdom's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 56 shared years of data; in 1970 it was United Kingdom ahead.
Germany ranks 3rd and United Kingdom ranks 4th of 166 countries.
Germany has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Germany | United Kingdom | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 307.91 billion constant 2015 US$ | 300.07 billion constant 2015 US$ | 7.84 billion constant 2015 US$ | Germany |
| 1980s | 394.40 billion constant 2015 US$ | 342.88 billion constant 2015 US$ | 51.52 billion constant 2015 US$ | Germany |
| 1990s | 471.11 billion constant 2015 US$ | 379.48 billion constant 2015 US$ | 91.63 billion constant 2015 US$ | Germany |
| 2000s | 560.27 billion constant 2015 US$ | 493.71 billion constant 2015 US$ | 66.56 billion constant 2015 US$ | Germany |
| 2010s | 670.72 billion constant 2015 US$ | 566.22 billion constant 2015 US$ | 104.50 billion constant 2015 US$ | Germany |
| 2020s | 806.36 billion constant 2015 US$ | 641.73 billion constant 2015 US$ | 164.63 billion constant 2015 US$ | Germany |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher government spending vs. gdp, Germany or United Kingdom?
- Germany, at 833.98 billion constant 2015 US$ against 683.00 billion constant 2015 US$ in United Kingdom as of 2025.
- What is the difference in government spending vs. gdp between Germany and United Kingdom?
- 150.98 billion constant 2015 US$, with Germany ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Germany and United Kingdom?
- 56 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do Germany and United Kingdom rank globally for government spending vs. gdp?
- Germany ranks 3rd and United Kingdom ranks 4th of 166 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) β processed by Our World in Data, published as Government spending vs. GDP. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
General government final consumption expenditure includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). Both measures are expressed in constant 2015 US$.