It is observed that there is a continous growth in public expenditure in a developing country like India.
Increase in the activities of the government: Modern government performs many functions for the social and economic development of the country. These functions include spread of education, public heath, public works, public recreation, social welfare schemes etc. This leads to increase in public expenditure.
2. Rapid increase in population: Population of developing countries like India is increasing fast. In 2011 census, it was 121.02 crores. As a result, the government has to incur greater expenditure to fulfil the needs of increasing population.
3. Growing urbanisation: Spread of urbanisation is a global phenomenon of the day. This leads to increase in the government expenditure on water supply, roads, energy, schools and colleges, public transport, sanitation, etc.
4. Increasing defence expenditure: In modern times, defence expenditure of the government is increasing even in the peace time due to unstable and hostile international relationships.
5. Spread of Democracy: Majority of the countries in the world are democratic in nature. A democratic form of government is expensive due to regular elections and other such activities. This results in the increase in total expenditure of the government.
6. Inflation: Just like a private individual, the government has to buy goods and services from the market for the spread of economic and social development. Normally, prices show a rising trend. Due to this, the government has to incur increasing cost.
7. Industrial Development: Industrial development leads to an increase in production, employment, and overall growth in the economy. Hence, the government makes huge efforts for implementing various schemes and programmes for industrial development. This results in increase in government expenditure.
8. Disaster management: Many natural and man-made calamities like earthquakes, floods, cyclones, etc. are occuring more frequently. The government has to spend a huge amount for the disaster management which increases total expenditure.