Expense in Australia
Australia: Expense was 644.60 billion current LCU in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Expense in Australia, 1972–2022
Source: Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
The most recent figure for expense in Australia is 644.60 billion current LCU, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.3% on the previous year and up 64.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, expense in Australia peaked at 680.67 billion current LCU in 2021 and was at its lowest, 8.04 billion current LCU, in 1972.
Australia ranks 68th of 157 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Expense in Australia, year by year
| Year | current LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 8.04 billion current LCU | — |
| 1973 | 9.20 billion current LCU | +14.3% |
| 1974 | 10.95 billion current LCU | +19.1% |
| 1975 | 15.16 billion current LCU | +38.4% |
| 1976 | 19.71 billion current LCU | +30.0% |
| 1977 | 22.72 billion current LCU | +15.3% |
| 1978 | 25.74 billion current LCU | +13.3% |
| 1979 | 28.15 billion current LCU | +9.3% |
| 1980 | 31.45 billion current LCU | +11.7% |
| 1981 | 35.90 billion current LCU | +14.1% |
| 1982 | 40.96 billion current LCU | +14.1% |
| 1983 | 48.44 billion current LCU | +18.3% |
| 1984 | 56.57 billion current LCU | +16.8% |
| 1985 | 62.23 billion current LCU | +10.0% |
| 1986 | 68.16 billion current LCU | +9.5% |
| 1987 | 73.58 billion current LCU | +7.9% |
| 1988 | 78.54 billion current LCU | +6.7% |
| 1989 | 81.70 billion current LCU | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 88.29 billion current LCU | +8.1% |
| 1991 | 96.21 billion current LCU | +9.0% |
| 1992 | 103.44 billion current LCU | +7.5% |
| 1993 | 110.92 billion current LCU | +7.2% |
| 1994 | 117.08 billion current LCU | +5.6% |
| 1995 | 125.88 billion current LCU | +7.5% |
| 1996 | 129.93 billion current LCU | +3.2% |
| 1997 | 132.52 billion current LCU | +2.0% |
| 1998 | 125.67 billion current LCU | -5.2% |
| 1999 | 152.35 billion current LCU | +21.2% |
| 2000 | 159.23 billion current LCU | +4.5% |
| 2001 | 185.19 billion current LCU | +16.3% |
| 2002 | 199.38 billion current LCU | +7.7% |
| 2003 | 206.44 billion current LCU | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 221.26 billion current LCU | +7.2% |
| 2005 | 236.49 billion current LCU | +6.9% |
| 2006 | 248.89 billion current LCU | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 266.23 billion current LCU | +7.0% |
| 2008 | 286.92 billion current LCU | +7.8% |
| 2009 | 333.86 billion current LCU | +16.4% |
| 2010 | 348.32 billion current LCU | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 368.78 billion current LCU | +5.9% |
| 2012 | 391.98 billion current LCU | +6.3% |
| 2013 | 397.85 billion current LCU | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 419.95 billion current LCU | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 434.69 billion current LCU | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 447.37 billion current LCU | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 468.13 billion current LCU | +4.6% |
| 2018 | 483.16 billion current LCU | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 509.74 billion current LCU | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 599.56 billion current LCU | +17.6% |
| 2021 | 680.67 billion current LCU | +13.5% |
| 2022 | 644.60 billion current LCU | -5.3% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 644.60 billion current LCU is above the median for high income countries, which is 134.42 billion current LCU, 4.8× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Australia's 644.60 billion current LCU is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 94.75 billion current LCU, 6.8× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 17.46 billion current LCU | 8.04 billion current LCU | 28.15 billion current LCU | 8 |
| 1980s | 57.75 billion current LCU | 31.45 billion current LCU | 81.70 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 118.23 billion current LCU | 88.29 billion current LCU | 152.35 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 234.39 billion current LCU | 159.23 billion current LCU | 333.86 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 427.00 billion current LCU | 348.32 billion current LCU | 509.74 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 641.61 billion current LCU | 599.56 billion current LCU | 680.67 billion current LCU | 3 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More public sector data for Australia
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
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- Democracy 7 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expense in Australia?
- Expense in Australia was 644.60 billion current LCU in 2022, according to Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest expense recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 680.67 billion current LCU in 2021.
- What is the lowest expense recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.04 billion current LCU in 1972.
- How does Australia rank for expense?
- Australia ranks 68th out of 157 countries with data for 2022.
- Is expense rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 64.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Expense (current LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Expense is a decrease in net worth resulting from a transaction. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This series is expressed in local currency units.