Government spending per capita
General government expenditure per capita
Link with national income+0.92essentially a measure of national income
Links that hold up16of 155 pairs tested
Unitcurrent international dollarshigher is neither better nor worse
SourceOECDCC BY 4.0 (OECD terms and conditions)
What this measures. All levels of government, in current dollars adjusted for what money buys in each country (purchasing power). So it grows over time with inflation as well as differing across countries. Where it is used for adjusting, it is measured in percentage terms (on a log scale), like income.
Compared with national income, this measure answers a question nobody is asking. It is money per person set against money per person. So it moves with GDP per capita at about +0.86. Its development loading, which shows how much a measure just reflects how developed a country is, is +0.92. Rich countries spend far more per person because they have far more per person, and almost all of that figure comes from dividing by people. To ask whether government is a larger part of what a country has, you need a share of GDP, not an amount per head. Three measures here do that: government consumption, government expense and tax revenue. Against income those run +0.12, +0.29 and +0.32. That is a much smaller answer, and the real one.
How it has moved
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Every country, every year
One row per country and one column per year, sorted by the most recent value. Hover over any cell to see the figure. The country names link to each country’s page.
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Links that hold up
r is how closely two measures rise and fall together across countries, from −1 (opposite) to +1 (in step), where 0 means no link. These pairs are ranked by the link after adjusting for national income, which means comparing countries with the same GDP per person. Each pair passed three checks. The link held after that adjustment. It was unlikely to be chance (q of 0.05 or less), even allowing for countries in the same region being alike and for the many pairs tested. And the two are not just two measures of the same thing. Very small q values are written in short form: 8.0e-5 means 0.000080.
| Measure | Before adjusting | After adjusting | q | Countries | Tracks income? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending per capita and FDI inflowsWhere Government spending per capita is higher, FDI inflows tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. FDI inflows by country | -0.58 | -0.58 | 0.012 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Government expenseWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Government expense tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Government expense by country | +0.26 | +0.56 | 0.021 | 42 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Public social spendingWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Public social spending tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Public social spending by country | +0.58 | +0.53 | 0.050 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Family benefits spendingWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Family benefits spending tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Family benefits spending by country | +0.50 | +0.50 | 0.031 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Old-age spendingWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Old-age spending tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Old-age spending by country | +0.29 | +0.45 | 0.023 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Aid givenWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Aid given tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Aid given by country | +0.73 | +0.44 | 0.023 | 37 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Migrant share of populationWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Migrant share of population tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Migrant share of population by country | +0.76 | +0.42 | 0.021 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Tax revenueWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Tax revenue tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Tax revenue by country | +0.44 | +0.40 | 0.050 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and PISA readingComparing only countries with similar income, PISA reading tends to be lower where Government spending per capita is higher: the opposite of the unadjusted figure, which only showed the income gap between countries. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA reading by country | +0.47 | -0.39 | 0.037 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Trust in governmentWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Trust in government tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Trust in government by country | +0.37 | +0.30 | 0.014 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Life satisfactionWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Life satisfaction tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Life satisfaction by country | +0.57 | +0.30 | 0.019 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Women ministersWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Women ministers tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Women ministers by country | +0.30 | +0.28 | 0.012 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Compulsory schoolingWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Compulsory schooling tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Compulsory schooling by country | +0.02 | +0.26 | 0.027 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Wellbeing scoreWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Wellbeing score tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Wellbeing score by country | +0.65 | +0.23 | 0.005 | 41 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Expected schoolingComparing only countries with similar income, Expected schooling tends to be lower where Government spending per capita is higher: the opposite of the unadjusted figure, which only showed the income gap between countries. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Expected schooling by country | +0.26 | -0.22 | 0.044 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Single-parent householdsWhere Government spending per capita is higher, Single-parent households tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Single-parent households by country | -0.23 | -0.14 | 0.036 | 35 | independent |
How much the other measures account for
The 71 most widely reported measures boil down to a few broad patterns. This table shows how much of the differences between countries on this measure those patterns account for, adding one pattern at a time. The patterns are rebuilt without this measure, and without anything built from the same numbers or measuring the same thing. So it never predicts itself under another name. The figures use the 42 countries reporting all of them, and 71 candidate measures.
This shows how much it moves with the others. It does not explain anything. Measures that move together end up on the same pattern whether or not anything connects them. And the countries here are the best-documented ones. A high figure means this measure is largely predictable from the others, not that they produce it.
| Patterns used | Share of this measure accounted for | Added by this pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58% | — |
| 2 | 62% | +4% |
| 3 | 64% | +2% |
| 4 | 72% | +8% |
| 5 | 73% | +1% |
| 6 | 76% | +3% |
Every other pair
Everything else this measure was tested against, apart from the links that hold up and the pairs built from the same numbers. Sorted by the link after adjusting. Search by name; every column sorts. A small adjusted figure is a result too. It says the two do not move together once income is set aside.
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| Government spending per capita and GDP growthCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. GDP growth by country | -0.24 | -0.52 | 0.237 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Government consumptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Government consumption by country | +0.50 | +0.41 | 0.078 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Hours workedLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.40) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Hours worked by country | -0.70 | -0.40 | 0.053 | 36 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Gender wage gapCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Gender wage gap by country | -0.28 | -0.37 | 0.325 | 38 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Retirement age, menCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Retirement age, men by country | -0.48 | -0.36 | 0.200 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Births outside marriageCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Births outside marriage by country | +0.10 | +0.33 | 0.131 | 40 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and PISA scienceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA science by country | +0.46 | -0.32 | 0.085 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Women's age at first marriageLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.31) could easily be chance. Women's age at first marriage by country | +0.54 | +0.31 | 0.158 | 39 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Education scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Education score by country | +0.28 | -0.30 | 0.053 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Corporate tax rateAlmost no link either way. Corporate tax rate by country | +0.05 | +0.30 | 0.306 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Retirement age, womenCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Retirement age, women by country | -0.35 | -0.30 | 0.291 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and RedistributionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.29) could easily be chance. Redistribution by country | +0.55 | +0.29 | 0.104 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Tertiary enrollmentAlmost no link either way. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Tertiary enrollment by country | -0.04 | -0.28 | 0.145 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Civil society participationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.28) could easily be chance. Civil society participation by country | +0.57 | +0.28 | 0.082 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Out-of-pocket health spendingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.28) could easily be chance. Out-of-pocket health spending by country | -0.61 | -0.28 | 0.349 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Maternal mortalityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Maternal mortality by country | -0.49 | +0.27 | 0.410 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Women in parliamentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women in parliament by country | +0.35 | +0.27 | 0.135 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Extreme poverty rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Extreme poverty rate by country | -0.42 | +0.27 | 0.563 | 42 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Gender scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Gender score by country | +0.34 | +0.26 | 0.143 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and PISA mathsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.26) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA maths by country | +0.55 | -0.26 | 0.182 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Education spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Education spending by country | +0.36 | +0.26 | 0.157 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Primary completionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Primary completion by country | +0.35 | -0.26 | 0.379 | 42 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Environment scoreAlmost no link either way. Environment score by country | -0.06 | +0.26 | 0.053 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Protected landCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Protected land by country | +0.11 | +0.26 | 0.162 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Pupil-teacher ratioLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.25) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Pupil-teacher ratio by country | -0.62 | -0.25 | 0.208 | 41 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and InflationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Inflation by country | -0.28 | -0.24 | 0.103 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Labour scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Labour score by country | +0.46 | -0.24 | 0.342 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Voice and accountabilityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.23) could easily be chance. Voice and accountability by country | +0.70 | +0.23 | 0.122 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Trade opennessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.21) could easily be chance. Trade openness by country | +0.54 | +0.21 | 0.301 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Self-reported happinessCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Self-reported happiness by country | +0.36 | +0.21 | 0.128 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and One-person householdsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.21) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. One-person households by country | +0.65 | +0.21 | 0.361 | 35 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Divorce rate (UN)Almost no link either way. Divorce rate (UN) by country | -0.04 | +0.21 | 0.065 | 38 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and UndernourishmentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Undernourishment by country | -0.37 | +0.20 | 0.446 | 42 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Women in a unionAlmost no link either way. Women in a union by country | -0.08 | +0.20 | 0.396 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Freedom of expressionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Freedom of expression by country | +0.42 | +0.20 | 0.149 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Control of corruptionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.19) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Control of corruption by country | +0.73 | +0.19 | 0.367 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Political rights (FH)Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.18) could easily be chance. Political rights (FH) by country | -0.50 | -0.18 | 0.247 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Political civil libertiesCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Political civil liberties by country | +0.46 | +0.18 | 0.259 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Adult obesityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Adult obesity by country | -0.29 | -0.18 | 0.316 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Hospital bedsAlmost no link either way. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Hospital beds by country | +0.04 | -0.18 | 0.688 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Slum share of urban populationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.17) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Slum share of urban population by country | -0.62 | -0.17 | 0.466 | 42 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Birth rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Birth rate by country | -0.19 | +0.17 | 0.529 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Birth registrationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Birth registration by country | +0.40 | -0.17 | 0.544 | 42 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and UrbanizationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Urbanization by country | +0.30 | +0.17 | 0.494 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Health scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Health score by country | +0.47 | +0.16 | 0.291 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Governance scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.16) could easily be chance. Governance score by country | +0.56 | +0.16 | 0.328 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Pre-trial detainee shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Pre-trial detainee share by country | +0.28 | +0.16 | 0.402 | 42 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Rule of lawLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.15) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Rule of law by country | +0.73 | +0.15 | 0.471 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Primary enrollmentAlmost no link either way. Primary enrollment by country | -0.04 | +0.15 | 0.140 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and UnemploymentAlmost no link either way. Unemployment by country | -0.01 | +0.15 | 0.280 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Electoral democracyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.15) could easily be chance. Electoral democracy by country | +0.53 | +0.15 | 0.378 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Adolescent fertilityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.15) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Adolescent fertility by country | -0.56 | +0.15 | 0.661 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Interpersonal trustLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.14) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Interpersonal trust by country | +0.66 | +0.14 | 0.088 | 41 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Male labor participationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Male labor participation by country | -0.32 | -0.14 | 0.140 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Marriage rateAlmost no link either way. Marriage rate by country | -0.03 | -0.14 | 0.344 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Homicide rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Homicide rate by country | -0.45 | +0.14 | 0.526 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Corruption Perceptions IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.14) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Corruption Perceptions Index by country | +0.71 | +0.14 | 0.580 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Freedom of associationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Freedom of association by country | +0.46 | +0.14 | 0.360 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Age at childbearingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.13) could easily be chance. Age at childbearing by country | +0.58 | -0.13 | 0.680 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Christian shareAlmost no link either way. Christian share by country | +0.04 | +0.13 | 0.518 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Active labour market spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Active labour market spending by country | +0.45 | +0.13 | 0.571 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Liberal democracyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.13) could easily be chance. Liberal democracy by country | +0.53 | +0.13 | 0.411 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Forest areaCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Forest area by country | -0.22 | +0.12 | 0.654 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Premature NCD mortalityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Premature NCD mortality by country | -0.48 | -0.12 | 0.638 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and HDILinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. HDI by country | +0.73 | -0.12 | 0.671 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Women's political empowermentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women's political empowerment by country | +0.46 | +0.12 | 0.450 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Tuberculosis incidenceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Tuberculosis incidence by country | -0.39 | +0.12 | 0.563 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Population growthCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Population growth by country | +0.29 | +0.12 | 0.577 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Civil liberties (FH)Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.12) could easily be chance. Civil liberties (FH) by country | -0.54 | -0.12 | 0.623 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Skilled birth attendanceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Skilled birth attendance by country | +0.11 | -0.12 | 0.413 | 36 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Free and fair electionsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Free and fair elections by country | +0.54 | +0.12 | 0.604 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Suicide rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Suicide rate by country | +0.26 | -0.12 | 0.769 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Fertility rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Fertility rate by country | -0.16 | +0.12 | 0.693 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Anaemia in womenCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Anaemia in women by country | -0.42 | -0.11 | 0.686 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Political corruptionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.11) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Political corruption by country | -0.64 | -0.11 | 0.667 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Religious attendanceLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.10) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Religious attendance by country | -0.51 | -0.10 | 0.760 | 41 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Regulatory qualityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.10) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Regulatory quality by country | +0.72 | +0.10 | 0.521 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Gender Development IndexCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Gender Development Index by country | +0.21 | +0.10 | 0.681 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Basic water accessCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Basic water access by country | +0.35 | +0.10 | 0.718 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Public order spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Public order spending by country | -0.49 | +0.10 | 0.612 | 37 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Government effectivenessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Government effectiveness by country | +0.73 | +0.10 | 0.785 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Marriage rate (UN)Almost no link either way. Marriage rate (UN) by country | -0.04 | -0.10 | 0.220 | 40 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Basic sanitationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Basic sanitation by country | +0.35 | +0.09 | 0.805 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Agricultural landAlmost no link either way. Agricultural land by country | +0.04 | -0.09 | 0.773 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Road traffic deathsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Road traffic deaths by country | -0.67 | -0.08 | 0.642 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Muslim shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Muslim share by country | -0.29 | -0.08 | 0.735 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Regime typeLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Regime type by country | +0.52 | +0.08 | 0.756 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Children with one parentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Children with one parent by country | +0.13 | +0.08 | 0.661 | 36 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and ResearchersLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Researchers by country | +0.66 | +0.08 | 0.790 | 42 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Unemployment benefit spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Unemployment benefit spending by country | +0.28 | +0.07 | 0.569 | 39 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Participatory democracyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Participatory democracy by country | +0.51 | +0.07 | 0.343 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Inequality-adjusted HDILinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Inequality-adjusted HDI by country | +0.72 | -0.07 | 0.735 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Recycling rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Recycling rate by country | +0.38 | -0.07 | 0.838 | 35 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Youth not in work or studyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Youth not in work or study by country | -0.55 | +0.07 | 0.677 | 42 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Median ageCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Median age by country | +0.31 | -0.07 | 0.741 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and DTP3 immunisationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. DTP3 immunisation by country | +0.29 | -0.07 | 0.769 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Vulnerable employmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Vulnerable employment by country | -0.63 | +0.07 | 0.786 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Tobacco useCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Tobacco use by country | -0.13 | -0.06 | 0.781 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Gender Inequality IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Gender Inequality Index by country | -0.69 | +0.06 | 0.874 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Child stuntingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Child stunting by country | -0.66 | -0.06 | 0.792 | 26 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Armed conflict presentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Armed conflict present by country | -0.55 | +0.06 | 0.817 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Employment in agricultureLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Employment in agriculture by country | -0.66 | -0.06 | 0.808 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Gini indexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Gini index by country | -0.52 | -0.06 | 0.713 | 42 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Infrastructure scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Infrastructure score by country | +0.68 | +0.06 | 0.859 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Internet usersLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Internet users by country | +0.68 | -0.06 | 0.835 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Refugees originatingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Refugees originating by country | -0.20 | -0.06 | 0.637 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Female labor participationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Female labor participation by country | +0.42 | +0.06 | 0.453 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Electricity accessCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Electricity access by country | +0.39 | -0.06 | 0.189 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Divorce rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Divorce rate by country | -0.10 | -0.06 | 0.900 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Population 65+Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Population 65+ by country | +0.35 | -0.05 | 0.816 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Secondary enrollmentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Secondary enrollment by country | +0.31 | +0.05 | 0.678 | 43 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Informal employmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Informal employment by country | -0.63 | +0.05 | 0.466 | 37 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Market-income GiniCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Market-income Gini by country | -0.18 | +0.05 | 0.597 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Political stabilityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Political stability by country | +0.45 | -0.05 | 0.871 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Fixed broadbandLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Fixed broadband by country | +0.62 | +0.05 | 0.879 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Infant mortalityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Infant mortality by country | -0.63 | +0.05 | 0.889 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and HIV prevalenceLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. HIV prevalence by country | -0.52 | +0.04 | 0.701 | 33 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Religiously unaffiliatedCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Religiously unaffiliated by country | +0.28 | -0.04 | 0.910 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Population 0-14Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Population 0-14 by country | -0.30 | +0.04 | 0.892 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Health coverage indexCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Health coverage index by country | +0.49 | +0.04 | 0.905 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Conflict deathsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Conflict deaths by country | -0.35 | +0.04 | 0.448 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Mean years of schoolingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Mean years of schooling by country | +0.57 | -0.04 | 0.857 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Under-5 mortalityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Under-5 mortality by country | -0.64 | +0.04 | 0.912 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Equality scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Equality score by country | +0.53 | +0.03 | 0.861 | 42 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Confidence in religious institutionsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Confidence in religious institutions by country | -0.35 | +0.03 | 0.914 | 41 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Military spendingAlmost no link either way. Military spending by country | -0.08 | -0.03 | 0.749 | 41 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and Food insecurityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Food insecurity by country | -0.49 | -0.02 | 0.802 | 42 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Health spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Health spending by country | +0.37 | +0.02 | 0.923 | 43 | independent |
| Government spending per capita and CO2 per capitaCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. CO2 per capita by country | +0.44 | -0.02 | 0.962 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Out of school, primaryCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Out of school, primary by country | -0.21 | -0.01 | 0.925 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Religion very importantLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Religion very important by country | -0.54 | +0.01 | 0.982 | 41 | high |
| Government spending per capita and Women in managementCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women in management by country | -0.10 | -0.01 | 0.957 | 40 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and Mobile subscriptionsAlmost no link either way. Mobile subscriptions by country | -0.07 | -0.01 | 0.984 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and PhysiciansCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Physicians by country | +0.39 | -0.01 | 0.964 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Life expectancyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Life expectancy by country | +0.60 | +0.00 | 0.991 | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and Alcohol consumptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Alcohol consumption by country | +0.40 | +0.00 | 0.961 | 43 | moderate |
| Government spending per capita and GDP per capita (PPP)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GDP per capita (PPP) by country | +0.84 | — | — | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and GNI per capita (PPP)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GNI per capita (PPP) by country | +0.86 | — | — | 43 | proxy |
| Government spending per capita and GDP per capita (market)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GDP per capita (market) by country | +0.80 | — | — | 43 | proxy |
Source
OECD · via Our World in Data
CC BY 4.0 (OECD terms and conditions) · licence terms · updated annual, except the snapshots noted per indicator
OECD databases as named on each indicator: PISA, Social Expenditure Database (SOCX), Income Distribution Database, Development Assistance Committee statistics, Family Database, Government at a Glance, Corporate Tax Statistics, employment and environment statistics