The composition of government spending in select advanced economies

Abstract

Abstract. Advanced economies vary significantly in their composition of government spending relative to GDP, from under 20% to over 50%. I examine data on the amount and purpose of government spending in select advanced economies, using 2019 to avoid idiosyncrasies related to the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020. I also offer some remarks regarding the efficiency of public spending. A spreadsheet workbook with data referred to in the text accompanies this paper.

Keywords. Public spending; Government spending; Advanced economies.

JEL. H11; H50.