Government expenditure by function

Istat has made available estimates of General Government expenditure at current prices by function for 1990-2008.

The part accounted for by traditional Functions, which over the period averaged 26.1 per cent of overall expenditure, showed a declining trend between 2000 and 2008 due to a progressive reduction in interest payable, classified entirely under general services.2 Specifically, general services accounted for around 74 percent, defence for 11 percent, and public order and safety the remaining 15 percent.