Ce ratio a diminué de 1998 à 2002, passant de 12,3 p. 100 à 11,6 p. 100. En 1975-1976, il atteignait 19,5 p. 100. Si ce ratio comprenait les frais de la dette publique, il serait de 15 p. 100 en 2002, son niveau le plus bas depuis 40 ans.
From 1998 to 2002, there has been a decrease from 12.3% to 11.6%, whereas it was as high as 19.5% back in 1975-76. If we were to include the debt charges, it would be 15% in 2002, which is the lowest in the last forty years.