Central government spending as share of GDP in Denmark
Denmark: Central government spending as share of GDP was 33.3% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Central government spending as share of GDP in Denmark, 1972–2023
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government spending as share of gdp in Denmark is 33.3%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 3.6% on the previous year and down 17.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government spending as share of gdp in Denmark peaked at 42.6% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 26.8%, in 1973.
That places Denmark 47th out of 157 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 52 years of available data.
Central government spending as share of GDP in Denmark, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 29.1% | — |
| 1973 | 26.8% | -7.8% |
| 1974 | 30.2% | +12.6% |
| 1975 | 31.1% | +2.9% |
| 1976 | 30.0% | -3.4% |
| 1977 | 30.5% | +1.6% |
| 1978 | 31.4% | +2.9% |
| 1979 | 32.9% | +4.7% |
| 1980 | 36.1% | +10.0% |
| 1981 | 38.3% | +6.0% |
| 1982 | 39.4% | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 39.9% | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 39.3% | -1.4% |
| 1985 | 37.6% | -4.4% |
| 1986 | 35.3% | -6.2% |
| 1987 | 35.1% | -0.6% |
| 1988 | 36.5% | +4.1% |
| 1989 | 36.9% | +1.0% |
| 1990 | 37.0% | +0.4% |
| 1991 | 36.6% | -1.1% |
| 1992 | 37.6% | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 40.3% | +7.3% |
| 1994 | 40.7% | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 41.8% | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 40.8% | -2.5% |
| 1997 | 39.1% | -4.2% |
| 1998 | 38.7% | -1.0% |
| 1999 | 37.8% | -2.2% |
| 2000 | 36.3% | -3.9% |
| 2001 | 35.8% | -1.5% |
| 2002 | 36.1% | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 35.8% | -0.9% |
| 2004 | 35.8% | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 33.8% | -5.6% |
| 2006 | 32.6% | -3.7% |
| 2007 | 35.0% | +7.4% |
| 2008 | 35.6% | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 40.7% | +14.5% |
| 2010 | 41.3% | +1.5% |
| 2011 | 41.4% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 42.6% | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 40.3% | -5.3% |
| 2014 | 39.9% | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 39.5% | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 37.4% | -5.3% |
| 2017 | 36.3% | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 36.2% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 35.3% | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 38.8% | +9.8% |
| 2021 | 36.4% | -6.0% |
| 2022 | 32.2% | -11.7% |
| 2023 | 33.3% | +3.6% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 33.3% is below the median for high income countries, which is 34.2%, 97% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 33.3% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 34.5%, 97% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 30.2% | 26.8% | 32.9% | 8 |
| 1980s | 37.4% | 35.1% | 39.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 39.0% | 36.6% | 41.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 35.7% | 32.6% | 40.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 39.0% | 35.3% | 42.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.2% | 32.2% | 38.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
- 44 Malta 33.7% compare
- 45 South Africa 33.4% compare
- 46 North Macedonia 33.4% compare
- 48 Trinidad and Tobago 33.3% compare
- 49 Colombia 33.3% compare
- 50 Turkey 33.0% compare
More economy & growth data for Denmark
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.9574 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 30.70 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0723 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 5,136 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 18.24 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 121.54 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.043 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 3,052 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 17.85 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government spending as share of gdp in Denmark?
- Central government spending as share of gdp in Denmark was 33.3% in 2023, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government spending as share of gdp recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 42.6% in 2012.
- What is the lowest central government spending as share of gdp recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.8% in 1973.
- How does Denmark rank for central government spending as share of gdp?
- Denmark ranks 47th out of 157 countries with data for 2023.
- Is central government spending as share of gdp rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government spending as share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Central government expense (cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services), as share of GDP. It excludes capital investment, such as infrastructure or equipment.