Europe & Central Asia · EU · OECD · G20 · NATO
Data checked 28 Oct 2026 · next scheduled check 1 Jan 2027 · UN World Population Prospects (via World Bank) released 1 Jul 2026 · Eurostat released 21 Oct 2026 · World Bank WDI released 8 Oct 2026
Total spending · 2024
49.4%
-5.8 pts since 1995
Welfare · 2024
20.4%
-0.2 pts since 1995
Healthcare · 2024
7.60%
+1.5 pts since 1995
Defence · 2024
1.40%
+0.1 pts since 1995
Education · 2024
4.50%
+0.4 pts since 1995
Debt interest · 2024
1.10%
-2.3 pts since 2000
Gross debt · 2025
62.7%
of GDP · +8 pts since 1995
Population · 2025
83.5m
2.2% since 1995
Public-sector employment
- 527,000 Federal public service (Bundesbereich), includes armed forces (central/federal government) · Destatis, Personal des öffentlichen Dienstes 2024, 74111-03 · as of Jun 2024
Welfare fell from 20.6% to 18.4% of GDP between 1995 and 2014, then rose to 20.4% by 2024.
Healthcare rose from 6.1% to 8.5% of GDP between 1995 and 2021, then fell to 7.6% by 2024.
Defence fell from 1.3% to 0.9% of GDP between 1995 and 2007, then rose to 1.4% by 2024.
Education fell from 4.1% to 3.9% of GDP between 1995 and 2007, then rose to 4.5% by 2024.
Debt interest fell from 3.4% to 0.6% of GDP between 2000 and 2021, then rose to 1.1% by 2024.
Total spending fell from 55.2% to 43.5% of GDP between 1995 and 2007, then rose to 49.4% by 2024.
Gross debt rose from 54.9% to 81.0% of GDP between 1995 and 2010, then fell to 62.7% by 2025.
Population grew from 81.7 million in 1995 to 83.5 million in 2025; the UN projects 77.5 million by 2050.