The bar chart illustrates the proportion of expenditure on roads and transportation in Italy, Portugal, the UK, and the USA over 15 years, from 1990 to 2005.
The four figures experienced a general downfall in government spending albeit the States’ spending increased. Considerably, Portugal’s government had the highest budget throughout the period, except in the year 2000 when its expenditure went below Italy’s.
In 1990, Portugal’s leading percentage of money was directed to roads and transport with around 27%, and ultimately declined consistently to one-fifth in 2005. Italy came close initially with less than Portugal about one-twentieth, at 22%. After that, its government investment experienced a similar decline, the figure dropped to one-fourth in 1995, then reached its peak of roughly 23% in 2000. It ultimately fell to just under 20% in 2005.
Meanwhile, the UK and the US had the lowest investments, both being approximately half of that of Italy in the start, only at one-tenth and 11%, respectively. The British authorities’ allocated budget for roads and transport was reduced minimally over the next 5 years, only by 1%. In the following five years, despite reaching its peak of around 12%, the percentage fell short by 4% in the end. In contrast, the US’ spending dropped by 1%, at one-tenth of their investment in 1995 before increasing moderately to 15% in the final year.