Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Australia
Australia: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 26.1% in 2022. ▲ Rising
Latest (2022)
26.1%
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
72nd
of 157 countries
All-time high
27.0%
in 2001
All-time low
19.4%
in 1973
Years of data
51
1972–2022
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Australia, 1972–2022
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government revenues as a share of gdp in Australia is 26.1%, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 11.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Australia peaked at 27.0% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 19.4%, in 1973.
That places Australia 72nd out of 157 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 51 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Australia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 20.4% | — |
| 1973 | 19.4% | -4.6% |
| 1974 | 20.3% | +4.4% |
| 1975 | 22.0% | +8.7% |
| 1976 | 22.5% | +2.3% |
| 1977 | 22.9% | +1.7% |
| 1978 | 23.0% | +0.4% |
| 1979 | 22.2% | -3.6% |
| 1980 | 22.7% | +2.2% |
| 1981 | 23.6% | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 23.8% | +0.7% |
| 1983 | 24.2% | +1.7% |
| 1984 | 23.5% | -2.6% |
| 1985 | 25.1% | +6.4% |
| 1986 | 25.4% | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 26.1% | +2.8% |
| 1988 | 25.6% | -2.1% |
| 1989 | 24.7% | -3.5% |
| 1990 | 24.4% | -1.2% |
| 1991 | 24.2% | -0.9% |
| 1992 | 22.7% | -6.2% |
| 1993 | 22.0% | -3.1% |
| 1994 | 22.2% | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 23.0% | +3.7% |
| 1996 | 23.6% | +2.6% |
| 1997 | 24.1% | +2.2% |
| 1998 | 24.1% | -0.3% |
| 1999 | 25.0% | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 25.8% | +3.2% |
| 2001 | 27.0% | +4.5% |
| 2002 | 25.9% | -4.0% |
| 2003 | 26.5% | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 26.5% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 27.0% | +1.7% |
| 2006 | 26.9% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 26.3% | -2.1% |
| 2008 | 26.5% | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 24.4% | -8.0% |
| 2010 | 23.2% | -4.8% |
| 2011 | 22.6% | -2.5% |
| 2012 | 23.4% | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 24.4% | +4.3% |
| 2014 | 24.3% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 24.4% | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 24.8% | +1.5% |
| 2017 | 24.7% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 25.7% | +4.1% |
| 2019 | 26.0% | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 25.2% | -3.0% |
| 2021 | 25.6% | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 26.1% | +2.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 26.1% is below the median for high income countries, which is 33.0%, 79% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Australia's 26.1% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.8%, 1.1× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 21.6% | 19.4% | 23.0% | 8 |
| 1980s | 24.5% | 22.7% | 26.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 23.5% | 22.0% | 25.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 26.3% | 24.4% | 27.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 24.3% | 22.6% | 26.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.6% | 25.2% | 26.1% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More economy & growth data for Australia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.36 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.55 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0025 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -164.69 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 36.52 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -32.02 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0203 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,323 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 20.24 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Australia?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Australia was 26.1% in 2022, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 27.0% in 2001.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.4% in 1973.
- How does Australia rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Australia ranks 72nd out of 157 countries with data for 2022.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.