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POLITICS
Government
Most Expensive Elections
This list features the most expensive elections in political history by expenditure.
RANK | ELECTION | COUNTRY | COST | YEAR |
1 | 2020 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $18.8 billion | 2020 |
2 | 2024 Indian General Election | India | $16 billion | 2024 |
3 | 2024 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $15.5 billion | 2024 |
4 | 2012 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $8.6 billion | 2012 |
5 | 2016 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $8.5 billion | 2016 |
6 | 2008 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $7.6 billion | 2008 |
7 | 2004 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $6.9 billion | 2004 |
8 | 2000 U.S. Presidential Election | United States | $5.6 billion | 2000 |
9 | 2022 Brazilian General Election | Brazil | $3 billion | 2022 |
10 | 2017 U.K. General Election | United Kingdom | $1.3 billion | 2017 |
References
OpenSecrets. (n.d.). Cost of election. https://www.opensecrets.org/elections-overview/cost-of-election [Accessed 1 December 2025].
Center for Responsive Politics. (n.d.). Cost of elections overview: 2020 cycle. https://www.opensecrets.org [Accessed 1 December 2025].
Center for Responsive Politics. (n.d.). Cost of elections overview. https://www.opensecrets.org [Accessed 1 December 2025].
The Independent. (1997). Election costs. https://www.independent.co.uk [Accessed 1 December 2025].
Hindustan Times. (2019). Election expenditure for 2019 polls crosses ₹60,000 crore. https://www.hindustantimes.com[Accessed 1 December 2025].
The Hindu. (2014). Election expenses rise sharply for 2014 polls. https://www.thehindu.com [Accessed 1 December 2025].
BBC News. (2010). General Election 2010: The costs. https://www.bbc.com [Accessed 1 December 2025].
BBC News. (2017). General election 2017: Parties' spending and fundraising. https://www.bbc.com [Accessed 1 December 2025].
Agence France-Presse. (2022). Brazil's elections: Candidates spent record sums on campaigns. https://www.theguardian.com [Accessed 1 December 2025].
The Economist. (2024). Why India's election is the most expensive in the world. https://www.economist.com [Accessed 1 December 2025].
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