The world's most expensive government projects

The project for the new children’s hospital in Dublin was originally supposed to cost €800 million (US$868 million), but it has since reached a whopping €2.24 billion. According to their website, “the new children’s hospital will be the primary center for pediatric education, training, and research in Ireland.”

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Portugal: Lisbon–Porto high-speed rail line: US$6 billion (estimated) -

The Portuguese government has invested in a new high-speed rail line linking the capital of Lisbon to the city of Porto. The journey will take just 75 minutes and is scheduled for completion in 2030. The original budget was €4.5 billion (US$4.8 billion) but this number has already been inflated to approximately US$6 billion.

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Denmark – Fehmarn Belt fixed link: US$10.9 billion (estimated) -

Denmark’s Fehmarn Belt fixed link is a road and rail link that will become the world's longest immersed tunnel. It will connect the Danish island of Lolland to Germany's Fehmarn island. The Fehmarn Belt fixed link is scheduled to open in 2029.

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Austria – Brenner Base Tunnel: US$11.4 billion (estimated) -

The high cost of this megaproject is not only being supported by the Austrian government, but also by the Italian government, and the EU. The 34-mile-long (55 km) Alpine tunnel will connect Innsbruck in Austria with Fortezza in Italy. It’s due to open in 2032.

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Malaysia – Putrajaya: US$14 billion -

The Malaysian government built a new administrative capital from scratch. The project started in 1995 and was completed in 2001. It cost around US$8.1 billion, which is the equivalent of around US$14 billion today.

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Singapore – Tuas Port: US$14.8 billion (estimated) -

The Singaporean government is spending approximately US$14.8 billion on expanding the Tuas Port. According to the Singapore Government Agency website, the last phase is expected to be completed by the 2040s.

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Philippines – New Manila International Airport: US$15 billion (estimated) -

The new airport in the capital is expected to cost US$15 billion. The New Manila International Airport is predicted to open in 2027.

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Switzerland – Gotthard Base Tunnel: US$15.4 billion -

The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world's longest rail tunnel at 35.5 miles (57 km) in length. It opened in 2016 after being under construction for 17 years. It cost the equivalent of around US$15 billion in today's money.

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Mexico – Tren Maya: up to US$20 billion (estimated) -

The Tren Maya ("Maya Train") was expected to cost around US$20 billion, but some sources report much higher numbers. The railway crosses the Yucatán Peninsula, linking beach resorts to Mayan sites. It partially opened in December 2023 and it’s expected to be fully operational by mid-2024.

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South Africa – Kusile and Medupi Power Station project: US$24.3 billion (estimated) -

Construction of the Kusile and Medupi Power stations began in 2007 and both were expected to be completed by 2014. However, there have been delays and costs have soared. While advances have been made, they still remain unfinished.

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New Zealand – 2011 Christchurch earthquake reconstruction: US$24.7 billion -

In February 2011, the city of Christchurch was raised to the ground by a devastating earthquake. Overall, the government has spent an estimated NZ$40 billion (US$24.7 billion) rebuilding the city.

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Canada – James Bay Project Phase I: US$26.6 billion -

Hydro-Québéc and the government of Québec spent C$13.7 billion, equivalent to about US$26.6 billion today, completing Phase 1 of the James Bay Project. The controversial project displaced Cree and Inuit locals and was completed in 1984.

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Italy – Turin–Lyon high-speed railway: US$27 billion (estimated) -

The Turin-Lyon high-speed railway is scheduled for completion in 2032. Italy is sharing the bill with France and the EU, which is estimated to reach around €25 billion (US$27 billion).

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Spain – Madrid Nuevo Norte: US$27.4 billion (estimated) -

The regeneration project of the capital was projected to cost €25.2 billion (US$27.4 billion). The ambitious project is due to be completed in 2045.

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Indonesia – Nusantara: US$35 billion (estimated) -

Indonesia's proposed new capital city received a lot of private investment, but it remains one of the most expensive projects the government has ever undertaken. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2045.

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France – Grand Paris Express: US$39 billion (estimated) -

The new rapid transit lines will double the size of Paris Métro by 2030 and are estimated to cost about €36.1 billion (US$39 billion).

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Germany – Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet: US$43.4 billion (estimated) -

In 2023, the German government announced that it would gradually allocate €40 billion (US$43.4 billion) by 2040 to develop a next-generation fighter jet. The jet is part of the Future Combat Air System partnership program established in 2017 between Germany and France.

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Norway – E-39 Coastal Highway Route: up to US$47 billion -

A new highway route featuring tunnels and bridges will replace seven ferry crossings along the country’s west coast.

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Brazil – Itaipu Dam: US$56.7 billion -

The Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam is the country’s most expensive government project to date. It was completed in 1982 and cost US$19.6 billion at the time, which is roughly the equivalent of US$56.7 billion today.

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Russia – Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games: US$69.8 billion -

Russia spent the equivalent of US$69.8 billion on the hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

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UAE – Al Maktoum International Airport: up to US$80 billion -

UAE invested in the expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport, which is projected to cost US$80 billion in total.

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Australia – Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop: US$81 billion (estimated) -

The 56-mile (90 km) orbital line may not be completed until 2085. The cost keeps going up as the project progresses. The latest estimated cost was AU$125 billion (US$81 billion).

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Japan – Fukushima disaster clean-up: US$82 billion (so far) -

The clean-up operation undertaken following the 2011 nuclear disaster has set the Japanese government back US$82 billion so far. It’s estimated that it may end up costing somewhere between US$470 billion to US$660 billion in total.

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Sweden – Gothenburg upgrade: US$108 billion -

The Swedish government is spending US$108 billion upgrading the country’s second city. Gothenburg’s revamp should be concluded by 2035.

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United Kingdom – HS2: US$116.5 billion (estimated) -

The UK’s high-speed railway linking London to other cities across the country was initially set to cost US$47.5 billion. This number has since gone up to US$116.5 billion. The first phase may not be concluded until 2033.

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India – Bharatmala Pariyojana: US$130 billion (estimated) -

Bharatmala Pariyojana, also called the India Garland Project, consists of a network of 52,000 miles (83,700 km) of highways. Works started in 2017 but there have been numerous delays.

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United States – Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet: US$1.7 trillion -

The US is the first country on this list with a trillion-dollar project—the development of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

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China – Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): up to US$8 trillion (estimated) -

Dubbed the new Silk Road, China’s BRI is a global infrastructure development project that connects several countries to China. The goal is to promote trade and economic growth.

Sources: (Love Money) (New Children's Hospital)

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Ireland – new children's hospital: US$2.4 billion (approximately) -

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Portugal: Lisbon–Porto high-speed rail line: US$6 billion (estimated) -

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Denmark – Fehmarn Belt fixed link: US$10.9 billion (estimated) -

Getty Images

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Austria – Brenner Base Tunnel: US$11.4 billion (estimated) -

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Malaysia – Putrajaya: US$14 billion -

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Singapore – Tuas Port: US$14.8 billion (estimated) -

Shutterstock

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Philippines – New Manila International Airport: US$15 billion (estimated) -

The new airport in the capital is expected to cost US$15 billion. The New Manila International Airport is predicted to open in 2027.

Shutterstock

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Switzerland – Gotthard Base Tunnel: US$15.4 billion -

Getty Images

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Mexico – Tren Maya: up to US$20 billion (estimated) -

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South Africa – Kusile and Medupi Power Station project: US$24.3 billion (estimated) -

Getty Images

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New Zealand – 2011 Christchurch earthquake reconstruction: US$24.7 billion -

In February 2011, the city of Christchurch was raised to the ground by a devastating earthquake. Overall, the government has spent an estimated NZ$40 billion (US$24.7 billion) rebuilding the city.

Shutterstock

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Canada – James Bay Project Phase I: US$26.6 billion -

Getty Images

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Italy – Turin–Lyon high-speed railway: US$27 billion (estimated) -

The Turin-Lyon high-speed railway is scheduled for completion in 2032. Italy is sharing the bill with France and the EU, which is estimated to reach around €25 billion (US$27 billion).

Getty Images

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Spain – Madrid Nuevo Norte: US$27.4 billion (estimated) -

The regeneration project of the capital was projected to cost €25.2 billion (US$27.4 billion). The ambitious project is due to be completed in 2045.

Shutterstock

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Indonesia – Nusantara: US$35 billion (estimated) -

Shutterstock

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France – Grand Paris Express: US$39 billion (estimated) -

The new rapid transit lines will double the size of Paris Métro by 2030 and are estimated to cost about €36.1 billion (US$39 billion).

Getty Images

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Germany – Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet: US$43.4 billion (estimated) -

Getty Images

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Norway – E-39 Coastal Highway Route: up to US$47 billion -

A new highway route featuring tunnels and bridges will replace seven ferry crossings along the country’s west coast.

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Brazil – Itaipu Dam: US$56.7 billion -

Shutterstock

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Russia – Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games: US$69.8 billion -

Russia spent the equivalent of US$69.8 billion on the hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Getty Images

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UAE – Al Maktoum International Airport: up to US$80 billion -

UAE invested in the expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport, which is projected to cost US$80 billion in total.

Getty Images

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Australia – Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop: US$81 billion (estimated) -

The 56-mile (90 km) orbital line may not be completed until 2085. The cost keeps going up as the project progresses. The latest estimated cost was AU$125 billion (US$81 billion).

Shutterstock

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Japan – Fukushima disaster clean-up: US$82 billion (so far) -

Getty Images

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Sweden – Gothenburg upgrade: US$108 billion -

The Swedish government is spending US$108 billion upgrading the country’s second city. Gothenburg’s revamp should be concluded by 2035.

Shutterstock

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United Kingdom – HS2: US$116.5 billion (estimated) -

Shutterstock

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India – Bharatmala Pariyojana: US$130 billion (estimated) -

Bharatmala Pariyojana, also called the India Garland Project, consists of a network of 52,000 miles (83,700 km) of highways. Works started in 2017 but there have been numerous delays.

Getty Images

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United States – Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet: US$1.7 trillion -

The US is the first country on this list with a trillion-dollar project—the development of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

Getty Images

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China – Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): up to US$8 trillion (estimated) -

Dubbed the new Silk Road, China’s BRI is a global infrastructure development project that connects several countries to China. The goal is to promote trade and economic growth.

Sources: (Love Money) (New Children's Hospital)

Shutterstock

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The world's most expensive government projects

From hospitals to fighter jets

28/02/24 | João Curro

LIFESTYLE Ranking

Throughout the years, many countries have taken on ambitious projects. From infrastructure to defense, and everything in between, governments have spent millions on these megaprojects. Many of them were concluded years ago, but some remain unfinished to this day.

Have you ever wondered about the most expensive projects funded by governments around the world? In this gallery, we list them all for you. Click on for all the details.