Government spending by function in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Government spending by function was 32.9% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Government spending by function in United Kingdom, 2007–2023
Source: OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of government expenditure.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government spending by function in United Kingdom is 32.9%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and down 12.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government spending by function in United Kingdom peaked at 37.7% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 32.3%, in 2020.
United Kingdom ranks 23rd of 37 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 17 years of available data.
Government spending by function in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 34.7% | — |
| 2008 | 33.3% | -4.1% |
| 2009 | 35.2% | +5.9% |
| 2010 | 35.3% | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 36.2% | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 37.1% | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 37.6% | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 37.3% | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 37.7% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 37.5% | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 36.4% | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 36.4% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 36.1% | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 32.3% | -10.6% |
| 2021 | 33.3% | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 32.7% | -2.0% |
| 2023 | 32.9% | +0.6% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 32.9% is below the median for high income countries, which is 36.4%, 90% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 32.9% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 37.5%, 88% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 34.4% | 33.3% | 35.2% | 3 |
| 2010s | 36.8% | 35.3% | 37.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.8% | 32.3% | 33.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government spending by function in United Kingdom?
- Government spending by function in United Kingdom was 32.9% in 2023, according to OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest government spending by function recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 37.7% in 2015.
- What is the lowest government spending by function recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.3% in 2020.
- How does United Kingdom rank for government spending by function?
- United Kingdom ranks 23rd out of 37 countries with data for 2023.
- Is government spending by function rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Government spending by function. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 17 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
General government expenditure on social protection. This data is divided by total government expenditure, expressed as a percentage.