Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia
Australia: Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product was 34.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia, 2000–2024
Source: World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia stood at 34.5%.
That represents a change of down 3.4% on the previous year and up 53.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia peaked at 40.7% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 4.9%, in 2008.
Australia ranks 40th of 49 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 10.8% | — |
| 2001 | 9.6% | -10.7% |
| 2002 | 8.6% | -10.8% |
| 2003 | 6.8% | -21.0% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | -8.5% |
| 2005 | 5.9% | -4.8% |
| 2006 | 5.5% | -7.6% |
| 2007 | 5.3% | -2.6% |
| 2008 | 4.9% | -7.3% |
| 2009 | 10.1% | +105.7% |
| 2010 | 13.5% | +33.4% |
| 2011 | 15.8% | +16.8% |
| 2012 | 17.9% | +13.4% |
| 2013 | 19.5% | +8.8% |
| 2014 | 22.4% | +15.2% |
| 2015 | 24.7% | +10.1% |
| 2016 | 27.7% | +12.0% |
| 2017 | 29.0% | +4.7% |
| 2018 | 28.7% | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 28.3% | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 40.7% | +43.9% |
| 2021 | 39.4% | -3.2% |
| 2022 | 36.8% | -6.8% |
| 2023 | 35.7% | -2.9% |
| 2024 | 34.5% | -3.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 7.4% | 4.9% | 10.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 22.8% | 13.5% | 29.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.4% | 34.5% | 40.7% | 5 |
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)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) -0.5842 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 0.2042 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 13,298 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant LCU), annual -0.5843 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant LCU), per 0.3782 constant LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant LCU), per 24,633 constant LCU per person (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), annual growth rate 4.46 % change on previous year (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.6749 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia?
- Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Australia was 34.5% in 2024, according to World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 40.7% in 2020.
- What is the lowest gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.9% in 2008.
- How does Australia rank for gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product?
- Australia ranks 40th out of 49 countries with data for 2024.
- Is gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gross public sector debt, Central Government, as a proportion of GDP (%).