Central government revenues as a share of GDP in China
China: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 14.9% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in China, 2005–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
China recorded 14.9% for central government revenues as a share of gdp in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and down 3.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in China peaked at 16.5% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 9.5%, in 2005.
That places China 131st out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 20 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in China, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 9.5% | — |
| 2006 | 10.0% | +5.1% |
| 2007 | 16.5% | +65.1% |
| 2008 | 10.9% | -33.9% |
| 2009 | 11.5% | +5.2% |
| 2010 | 11.0% | -3.7% |
| 2011 | 11.1% | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 11.0% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 10.8% | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 15.5% | +44.2% |
| 2015 | 15.7% | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 15.3% | -2.6% |
| 2017 | 15.6% | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 16.2% | +4.1% |
| 2019 | 15.8% | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 13.8% | -12.6% |
| 2021 | 14.6% | +6.0% |
| 2022 | 14.7% | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 15.1% | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 14.9% | -0.9% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 14.9% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 25.7%, 58% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
- China's 14.9% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.8%, 60% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Central government revenues as a share of GDP in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +65.1% | 10.0% | 16.5% |
| 2014 | +44.2% | 10.8% | 15.5% |
| 2008 | -33.9% | 16.5% | 10.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.7% | 9.5% | 16.5% | 5 |
| 2010s | 13.8% | 10.8% | 16.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.6% | 13.8% | 15.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More economy & growth data for China
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.46 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.31 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 157.21 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0081 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 111.77 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 79.98 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 87.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0041 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 56.86 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 8.47 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in China?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in China was 14.9% in 2024, 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 16.5% in 2007.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.5% in 2005.
- How does China rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- China ranks 131st out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this China 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.