"State Government Spending as Percent of GDP" shows the percentage of a state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that comprises a state government's total spending. This figure is useful for comparison of state spending levels, although each state faces unique economic circumstances.  For 2022 the states with the lowest percentages were Georgia, Texas, Florida, Nebraska, and Colorado. Florida, Nebraska, and Colorado also had Taxpayer Surpluses in TIA's Financial State of the States.  The national average for all 50 states was 12.4 percent.

The state government spending component of this number is taken from the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Study of State Government Finances and is found independently on Data-Z under the heading Total Expenditures. The GDP used for this calculation is the Nominal GDP.