Saudi Arabia vs United States of America: Central government spending as share of GDP
Saudi Arabia
24.2%
in 2023
United States of America
24.4%
in 2023
Saudi Arabia rank
91st
United States of America rank
89th
Central government spending as share of GDP over time
- Saudi Arabia
- United States of America
How they compare
United States of America currently reports 24.4% against 24.2% in Saudi Arabia, a difference of 0.2%.
The two have swapped places 2 times across 14 shared years of data; in 2010 it was United States of America ahead.
Saudi Arabia ranks 91st and United States of America ranks 89th of 157 countries.
Across the 2 decades both report, Saudi Arabia averaged higher in 1 and United States of America in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Saudi Arabia | United States of America | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 26.3% | 23.2% | 3.0% | Saudi Arabia |
| 2020s | 25.8% | 28.0% | 2.2% | United States of America |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher central government spending as share of gdp, Saudi Arabia or United States of America?
- United States of America, at 24.4% against 24.2% in Saudi Arabia as of 2023.
- What is the difference in central government spending as share of gdp between Saudi Arabia and United States of America?
- 0.2%, with United States of America ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Saudi Arabia and United States of America?
- 14 years are reported by both, from 2010 to 2023.
- How do Saudi Arabia and United States of America rank globally for central government spending as share of gdp?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 91st and United States of America ranks 89th of 157 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Central government spending as share of GDP. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
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About this data
Central government expense (cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services), as share of GDP. It excludes capital investment, such as infrastructure or equipment.