It is noted in the 2010 MTBPS that real non-interest government expenditure per person has doubled over the past eight years, which was made possible by buoyant growth and revenue, and the declining share of debt service costs in GDP. Government spending on infrastructure and social assistance continued to expand strongly during the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009 calendar years. Expenditure growth will be slower over the period ahead, averaging real growth of approximately 3 per cent per year.