Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 26.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Saudi Arabia, 2010–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2024, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Saudi Arabia stood at 26.8%.
That represents a change of up 0.9% on the previous year and down 24.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Saudi Arabia peaked at 44.2% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 20.1%, in 2016.
Saudi Arabia ranks 67th of 157 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 37.4% | — |
| 2011 | 43.8% | +17.1% |
| 2012 | 44.2% | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 39.9% | -9.7% |
| 2014 | 35.2% | -11.8% |
| 2015 | 23.6% | -33.1% |
| 2016 | 20.1% | -14.7% |
| 2017 | 24.9% | +23.8% |
| 2018 | 27.2% | +9.5% |
| 2019 | 27.8% | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 27.1% | -2.4% |
| 2021 | 26.2% | -3.5% |
| 2022 | 27.3% | +4.2% |
| 2023 | 26.5% | -2.8% |
| 2024 | 26.8% | +0.9% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 26.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 33.0%, 81% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 26.8% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 25.8%, 1.0× the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 32.4% | 20.1% | 44.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 26.8% | 26.2% | 27.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
- 64 Costa Rica 27.4% compare
- 65 El Salvador 27.3% compare
- 66 Jamaica 26.9% compare
- 68 Fiji 26.6% compare
- 69 Equatorial Guinea 26.4% compare
- 70 Brazil 26.4% compare
More economy & growth data for Saudi Arabia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.52 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 27.03 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0212 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 731.09 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 32.63 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 52.91 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0256 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 882.47 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 8.9 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Saudi Arabia?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Saudi Arabia was 26.8% 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 44.2% in 2012.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.1% in 2016.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 67th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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.