Canadian government spending reaches new high in 2024

Released: Friday, November 28, 2025

Spending across all levels of government, including the federal, provincial, territorial, and other entities combined, reached an all-time high in 2024. On a nominal basis, spending reached $1.1 trillion, an increase of 3.4% or $34.7 billion compared to 2023. Here’s a breakdown of how the money was spent. Social protection, which includes Old Age Security, unemployment benefits, family benefits, and disability benefits, accounted for 24.9% of all government spending in 2024, making it the largest spending category. It was followed closely by health-related expenses at 23.7%. General public services and other functions each accounted for 15% of all government spending, followed by education at 12% and economic affairs at 9%. Overall, government spending has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data for this week’s chart comes from Statistics Canada Table 10-10-0005-01  Canadian Classification of Functions of Government (CCOFOG) by consolidated government component (x 1,000,000).

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