Government spending per capita in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Government spending per capita was 29,093 current international-$ in 2024. ▲ Rising
Government spending per capita in United Kingdom, 2007–2024
Source: OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in current international-$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government spending per capita in United Kingdom is 29,093 current international-$, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.9% on the previous year and up 63.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government spending per capita in United Kingdom peaked at 29,093 current international-$ in 2024 and was at its lowest, 14,601 current international-$, in 2007.
That places United Kingdom 18th out of 43 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 18 years of available data.
Government spending per capita in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | current international-$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 14,601 current international-$ | — |
| 2008 | 16,278 current international-$ | +11.5% |
| 2009 | 16,566 current international-$ | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 17,275 current international-$ | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 17,039 current international-$ | -1.4% |
| 2012 | 17,468 current international-$ | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 17,499 current international-$ | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 17,792 current international-$ | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 18,026 current international-$ | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 18,347 current international-$ | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 18,990 current international-$ | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 19,316 current international-$ | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 20,454 current international-$ | +5.9% |
| 2020 | 25,219 current international-$ | +23.3% |
| 2021 | 24,575 current international-$ | -2.6% |
| 2022 | 27,449 current international-$ | +11.7% |
| 2023 | 28,285 current international-$ | +3.0% |
| 2024 | 29,093 current international-$ | +2.9% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 29,093 current international-$ is above the median for high income countries, which is 26,582 current international-$, 1.1× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 29,093 current international-$ is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 27,928 current international-$, 1.0× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15,815 current international-$ | 14,601 current international-$ | 16,566 current international-$ | 3 |
| 2010s | 18,221 current international-$ | 17,039 current international-$ | 20,454 current international-$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 26,924 current international-$ | 24,575 current international-$ | 29,093 current international-$ | 5 |
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 per capita in United Kingdom?
- Government spending per capita in United Kingdom was 29,093 current international-$ in 2024, according to OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest government spending per capita recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 29,093 current international-$ in 2024.
- What is the lowest government spending per capita recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 14,601 current international-$ in 2007.
- How does United Kingdom rank for government spending per capita?
- United Kingdom ranks 18th out of 43 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government spending per capita rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 63.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- 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 per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total amount of money the general government spends per capita. This data is adjusted for differences in living costs between countries but not for inflation.