Central government revenues as a share of GDP in New Zealand
New Zealand: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 34.2% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
34.2%
Change on year
up 6.4%
World rank
34th
of 157 countries
All-time high
40.8%
in 1987
All-time low
27.2%
in 1972
Years of data
41
1972–2024
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in New Zealand, 1972–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
New Zealand recorded 34.2% for central government revenues as a share of gdp in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.4% on the previous year and up 4.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in New Zealand peaked at 40.8% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 27.2%, in 1972.
That places New Zealand 34th out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 27.2% | — |
| 1973 | 28.5% | +4.9% |
| 1974 | 30.9% | +8.2% |
| 1975 | 30.7% | -0.6% |
| 1976 | 30.6% | -0.2% |
| 1977 | 32.9% | +7.5% |
| 1978 | 31.9% | -3.2% |
| 1979 | 33.0% | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 32.7% | -0.9% |
| 1981 | 33.2% | +1.7% |
| 1982 | 33.8% | +1.6% |
| 1983 | 31.7% | -6.2% |
| 1984 | 32.8% | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 35.0% | +6.9% |
| 1986 | 35.7% | +1.9% |
| 1987 | 40.8% | +14.2% |
| 1988 | 38.5% | -5.6% |
| 2001 | 33.1% | -14.0% |
| 2002 | 33.4% | +1.0% |
| 2003 | 34.5% | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 34.6% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 36.2% | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 37.1% | +2.5% |
| 2007 | 35.3% | -4.8% |
| 2008 | 36.2% | +2.7% |
| 2009 | 35.5% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 32.3% | -8.8% |
| 2011 | 33.8% | +4.7% |
| 2012 | 33.1% | -2.2% |
| 2013 | 32.5% | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 32.7% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 32.7% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 32.4% | -1.1% |
| 2017 | 32.2% | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 32.1% | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 32.8% | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 31.5% | -3.9% |
| 2021 | 32.7% | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 32.8% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 32.2% | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 34.2% | +6.4% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 34.2% is above the median for high income countries, which is 33.0%, 1.0× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 34.2% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.8%, 1.4× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 30.7% | 27.2% | 33.0% | 8 |
| 1980s | 34.9% | 31.7% | 40.8% | 9 |
| 2000s | 35.1% | 33.1% | 37.1% | 9 |
| 2010s | 32.7% | 32.1% | 33.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.7% | 31.5% | 34.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More economy & growth data for New Zealand
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.71 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.37 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 23.86 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0001 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 4.48 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 3.61 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 104.98 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0137 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 677.46 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 27.59 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in New Zealand?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in New Zealand was 34.2% 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 40.8% in 1987.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.2% in 1972.
- How does New Zealand rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- New Zealand ranks 34th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this New Zealand 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.