New Zealand in the OECD

Government Spending and Receipts

 
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Government spending

In 2004, New Zealand’s general government (includes both local and central government) spending was 34.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the second-lowest of 27 OECD countries.

Korea spent the least in relative terms, at 27.3 percent of GDP. Ireland (34.3 percent), Australia (35.5 percent), Switzerland and the United States (both 36.0 percent) spent more than New Zealand. Sweden spent the most, at 57.1 percent of GDP.

 

General Government Total Outlays

as a percentage of nominal GDP, 2004 

   2004
 OECD  40.8
 New Zealand  34.1

Tax and non-tax receipts

New Zealand’s general government total tax and non-tax receipts, as a proportion of GDP, were the seventh-lowest of 27 OECD countries in 2004, at 38.3 percent.

Korea, at 30.2 percent, had the lowest relative tax take, followed by Japan (31.2 percent), the United States (31.7 percent) and Switzerland (35.0 percent). At 58.6 and 58.3 percent of GDP, respectively, Denmark and Sweden’s governments had the highest relative receipts.

 

General Government Total Tax and Non-Tax Receipts

as a percentage of nominal GDP, 2004 

   2004
 New Zealand  38.3
 OECD  37.5

 

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