Budget Deficit by Country 2026
General government net lending or borrowing as a share of GDP: revenue minus spending for every level of government. A negative figure is a deficit, a positive one a surplus. Largest deficit first.
Kuwait has the highest general government budget balance: 15.8% in 2026 (IMF projection). Next are Nauru (14.5%), Norway (13.5%), Macao (8.4%) and Oman (6.0%). Timor-Leste has the lowest general government budget balance: -55.9% in 2026 (IMF projection). The median across the 192 countries is -3.1%, counting each country once, so it is not a world average.
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook. 192 of 217 countries and territories have a figure. 187 of 192 countries show 2026 (IMF projections); the other 5 show their latest available year (2025).
Countries report the government balance for different parts of government, most for general government and some for central government only. A gap between two countries can partly be a gap in coverage. Comparing countries whose definitions differ.
- Highest
- 15.8%
- Kuwait, 2026 (IMF projection)
- Lowest
- -55.9%
- Timor-Leste, 2026 (IMF projection)
- Median
- -3.1%
- Counting each country once, so it is not a world average; includes IMF projections
- Coverage
- 192 of 217
- Countries and territories with a figure; mostly 2026 IMF projections
| # | Country | Budget balance (% of GDP) | Year | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timor-Leste | -55.9% | 2026projection | -46.2% |
| 2 | Libya | -22.5% | 2026projection | -30.5% |
| 3 | Kiribati | -16.7% | 2026projection | -14.5% |
| 4 | Iraq | -15.1% | 2026projection | -6.2% |
| 5 | Brunei | -12.7% | 2026projection | -17.7% |
| 6 | Maldives | -11.9% | 2026projection | -3.6% |
| 7 | Bahrain | -11.4% | 2026projection | -13.2% |
| 7 | Egypt | -11.4% | 2026projection | -6.6% |
| 9 | Ukraine | -11.3% | 2026projection | -17.6% |
| 10 | Grenada | -11.1% | 2026projection | -5.0% |
| 11 | Gabon | -10.4% | 2026projection | -12.1% |
| 12 | Bolivia | -9.2% | 2026projection | -11.4% |
| 12 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | -9.2% | 2026projection | -13.0% |
| 14 | Algeria | -9.1% | 2026projection | -10.5% |
| 15 | St. Kitts and Nevis | -9.0% | 2026projection | -11.8% |
| 16 | Malawi | -8.6% | 2026projection | -10.2% |
| 16 | Tunisia | -8.6% | 2026projection | -5.3% |
| 18 | United States | -8.5% | 2026projection | -7.1% |
| 19 | Brazil | -8.1% | 2026projection | -7.4% |
| 20 | China | -8.0% | 2026projection | -7.9% |
| 21 | India | -7.5% | 2026projection | -7.4% |
| 22 | Hungary | -7.3% | 2026projection | -4.7% |
| 23 | Poland | -7.2% | 2026projection | -7.3% |
| 24 | Iran | -7.1% | 2026projection | -5.3% |
| 25 | Botswana | -6.9% | 2026projection | -6.1% |
| 25 | Colombia | -6.9% | 2026projection | -5.8% |
| 27 | Kenya | -6.6% | 2026projection | -6.5% |
| 28 | Saudi Arabia | -6.5% | 2026projection | -5.8% |
| 29 | Senegal | -6.4% | 2025 | -6.4% |
| 30 | Romania | -6.2% | 2026projection | -7.6% |
| 31 | Jordan | -6.1% | 2026projection | -6.2% |
| 31 | Marshall Islands | -6.1% | 2026projection | 4.8% |
| 33 | Eswatini | -6.0% | 2026projection | -7.8% |
| 34 | Guyana | -5.9% | 2026projection | -5.5% |
| 35 | Israel | -5.8% | 2026projection | -5.2% |
| 35 | Namibia | -5.8% | 2026projection | -5.9% |
| 35 | Uganda | -5.8% | 2026projection | -6.6% |
| 38 | Fiji | -5.5% | 2026projection | -2.4% |
| 39 | Bulgaria | -5.4% | 2026projection | -3.0% |
| 39 | France | -5.4% | 2026projection | -5.1% |
| 39 | Zambia | -5.4% | 2026projection | -3.8% |
| 42 | Belgium | -5.3% | 2026projection | -5.2% |
| 43 | Moldova | -5.0% | 2026projection | -3.9% |
| 43 | Myanmar | -5.0% | 2026projection | -4.9% |
| 43 | North Macedonia | -5.0% | 2026projection | -4.0% |
| 43 | Suriname | -5.0% | 2026projection | -8.3% |
| 47 | Jamaica | -4.9% | 2026projection | -2.5% |
| 48 | Angola | -4.7% | 2026projection | -4.1% |
| 49 | Slovakia | -4.6% | 2026projection | -4.5% |
| 50 | Madagascar | -4.5% | 2026projection | -2.1% |
| 50 | Venezuela | -4.5% | 2025 | -4.5% |
| 52 | Hong Kong | -4.4% | 2026projection | -4.5% |
| 52 | South Africa | -4.4% | 2026projection | -5.6% |
| 54 | Estonia | -4.3% | 2026projection | -2.0% |
| 54 | Germany | -4.3% | 2026projection | -2.9% |
| 56 | Austria | -4.2% | 2026projection | -4.2% |
| 56 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | -4.2% | 2026projection | -2.5% |
| 56 | Finland | -4.2% | 2026projection | -3.8% |
| 56 | Mexico | -4.2% | 2026projection | -4.9% |
| 56 | Philippines | -4.2% | 2026projection | -4.5% |
| 56 | Sri Lanka | -4.2% | 2026projection | -2.3% |
| 56 | Trinidad and Tobago | -4.2% | 2026projection | -5.4% |
| 63 | Mauritius | -4.1% | 2026projection | -3.8% |
| 63 | New Zealand | -4.1% | 2026projection | -4.0% |
| 63 | Uruguay | -4.1% | 2026projection | -3.4% |
| 66 | Armenia | -4.0% | 2026projection | -3.7% |
| 66 | Guinea-Bissau | -4.0% | 2026projection | -6.7% |
| 68 | Morocco | -3.9% | 2026projection | -3.5% |
| 68 | Solomon Islands | -3.9% | 2026projection | -3.9% |
| 68 | Sudan | -3.9% | 2026projection | -3.1% |
| 71 | Burkina Faso | -3.8% | 2026projection | -1.5% |
| 71 | Côte d'Ivoire | -3.8% | 2026projection | -3.0% |
| 71 | United Kingdom | -3.8% | 2026projection | -5.3% |
| 74 | Costa Rica | -3.7% | 2026projection | -3.4% |
| 74 | Guinea | -3.7% | 2026projection | -6.4% |
| 76 | Dominican Republic | -3.6% | 2026projection | -3.6% |
| 76 | Montenegro | -3.6% | 2026projection | -4.3% |
| 76 | Rwanda | -3.6% | 2026projection | -4.4% |
| 79 | Burundi | -3.5% | 2026projection | -3.2% |
| 79 | Central African Republic | -3.5% | 2026projection | -3.8% |
| 79 | Malaysia | -3.5% | 2026projection | -3.5% |
| 79 | Tuvalu | -3.5% | 2026projection | 25.8% |
| 83 | Niger | -3.4% | 2026projection | -2.9% |
| 83 | Panama | -3.4% | 2026projection | -3.7% |
| 83 | Serbia | -3.4% | 2026projection | -2.2% |
| 83 | Togo | -3.4% | 2026projection | -3.2% |
| 87 | Benin | -3.3% | 2026projection | -2.7% |
| 87 | Mozambique | -3.3% | 2026projection | -5.1% |
| 87 | Nigeria | -3.3% | 2026projection | -1.8% |
| 87 | Thailand | -3.3% | 2026projection | -1.7% |
| 91 | Australia | -3.2% | 2026projection | -2.9% |
| 91 | Latvia | -3.2% | 2026projection | -4.0% |
| 91 | Russia | -3.2% | 2026projection | -3.9% |
| 94 | Comoros | -3.1% | 2026projection | -1.3% |
| 94 | Paraguay | -3.1% | 2026projection | -1.7% |
| 94 | St. Lucia | -3.1% | 2026projection | -1.9% |
| 94 | Türkiye | -3.1% | 2026projection | -2.8% |
| 98 | Belize | -3.0% | 2026projection | -1.0% |
| 99 | Cambodia | -2.9% | 2026projection | -1.0% |
| 99 | Croatia | -2.9% | 2026projection | -3.0% |
| 99 | Indonesia | -2.9% | 2026projection | -2.9% |
| 99 | Italy | -2.9% | 2026projection | -3.1% |
| 99 | Sierra Leone | -2.9% | 2026projection | -4.2% |
| 99 | Slovenia | -2.9% | 2026projection | -2.5% |
| 105 | Bangladesh | -2.8% | 2026projection | -3.1% |
| 105 | Ecuador | -2.8% | 2025 | -2.8% |
| 105 | Mali | -2.8% | 2026projection | -1.5% |
| 105 | Qatar | -2.8% | 2026projection | -1.0% |
| 109 | Czechia | -2.7% | 2026projection | -2.1% |
| 109 | DR Congo | -2.7% | 2026projection | -2.4% |
| 109 | Malta | -2.7% | 2026projection | -2.2% |
| 109 | Netherlands | -2.7% | 2026projection | -1.6% |
| 113 | Guatemala | -2.6% | 2026projection | -1.9% |
| 113 | Pakistan | -2.6% | 2026projection | -5.4% |
| 113 | Tanzania | -2.6% | 2026projection | -2.6% |
| 116 | Canada | -2.5% | 2026projection | -1.7% |
| 116 | Mongolia | -2.5% | 2026projection | 2.2% |
| 116 | Sweden | -2.5% | 2026projection | -1.3% |
| 116 | Tajikistan | -2.5% | 2026projection | 0.5% |
| 120 | Spain | -2.4% | 2026projection | -2.4% |
| 121 | El Salvador | -2.3% | 2026projection | -2.9% |
| 121 | Lithuania | -2.3% | 2026projection | -1.8% |
| 123 | Cameroon | -2.2% | 2026projection | -2.1% |
| 123 | Ghana | -2.2% | 2026projection | -1.3% |
| 125 | Albania | -2.0% | 2026projection | -1.8% |
| 125 | Cabo Verde | -2.0% | 2026projection | 1.1% |
| 125 | Chile | -2.0% | 2026projection | -2.8% |
| 125 | Ethiopia | -2.0% | 2026projection | -1.2% |
| 125 | Luxembourg | -2.0% | 2026projection | -2.0% |
| 130 | Seychelles | -1.9% | 2026projection | -1.0% |
| 131 | Georgia | -1.7% | 2026projection | -1.5% |
| 132 | Djibouti | -1.6% | 2026projection | -1.4% |
| 133 | Nepal | -1.5% | 2026projection | -1.8% |
| 133 | Peru | -1.5% | 2026projection | -2.4% |
| 135 | Iceland | -1.4% | 2026projection | -2.6% |
| 135 | Japan | -1.4% | 2026projection | -0.7% |
| 135 | Liberia | -1.4% | 2026projection | -2.1% |
| 135 | Sao Tome and Principe | -1.4% | 2026projection | -3.4% |
| 139 | South Korea | -1.3% | 2026projection | -2.3% |
| 140 | Uzbekistan | -1.2% | 2026projection | -1.6% |
| 141 | Papua New Guinea | -1.1% | 2026projection | -2.1% |
| 142 | Antigua and Barbuda | -1.0% | 2026projection | 3.2% |
| 142 | Honduras | -1.0% | 2026projection | -0.7% |
| 142 | Kazakhstan | -1.0% | 2026projection | -3.1% |
| 145 | Somalia | -0.9% | 2026projection | -0.3% |
| 146 | Vietnam | -0.8% | 2026projection | 0.0% |
| 147 | Barbados | -0.7% | 2026projection | -0.2% |
| 148 | Dominica | -0.6% | 2026projection | -0.5% |
| 148 | Equatorial Guinea | -0.6% | 2026projection | -0.6% |
| 148 | Haiti | -0.6% | 2026projection | -0.3% |
| 151 | Afghanistan | -0.5% | 2025 | -0.5% |
| 152 | Bhutan | -0.4% | 2026projection | -2.7% |
| 152 | Puerto Rico | -0.4% | 2026projection | -0.4% |
| 152 | Yemen | -0.4% | 2026projection | -3.9% |
| 155 | South Sudan | -0.3% | 2026projection | 3.3% |
| 156 | Bahamas | -0.2% | 2026projection | -0.5% |
| 156 | Switzerland | -0.2% | 2026projection | 0.2% |
| 158 | San Marino | -0.1% | 2026projection | 0.6% |
| 159 | Chad | 0.0% | 2026projection | -0.3% |
| 159 | Mauritania | 0.0% | 2026projection | -0.3% |
| 159 | Portugal | 0.0% | 2026projection | 0.7% |
| 159 | The Gambia | 0.0% | 2026projection | -4.7% |
| 163 | Micronesia | 0.1% | 2026projection | 0.4% |
| 163 | Palau | 0.1% | 2026projection | -0.4% |
| 165 | Vanuatu | 0.2% | 2026projection | 6.2% |
| 166 | Greece | 0.3% | 2026projection | 1.7% |
| 167 | Argentina | 0.4% | 2026projection | -0.2% |
| 167 | Belarus | 0.4% | 2026projection | 0.1% |
| 169 | Turkmenistan | 0.5% | 2026projection | 0.1% |
| 170 | Denmark | 1.2% | 2026projection | 2.9% |
| 171 | Laos | 1.3% | 2026projection | 1.9% |
| 172 | Ireland | 1.4% | 2026projection | 1.9% |
| 172 | Lesotho | 1.4% | 2026projection | 4.9% |
| 174 | United Arab Emirates | 1.5% | 2026projection | 3.9% |
| 175 | Zimbabwe | 2.0% | 2026projection | 0.1% |
| 176 | Andorra | 2.2% | 2026projection | 3.6% |
| 177 | Aruba | 2.3% | 2026projection | 4.0% |
| 177 | Cyprus | 2.3% | 2026projection | 3.4% |
| 177 | Kyrgyzstan | 2.3% | 2026projection | 2.6% |
| 177 | Nicaragua | 2.3% | 2026projection | 3.5% |
| 181 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026projection | 2.8% |
| 182 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 | 3.3% |
| 183 | Azerbaijan | 3.7% | 2026projection | 2.6% |
| 183 | Singapore | 3.7% | 2026projection | 4.2% |
| 185 | Samoa | 4.0% | 2026projection | 4.7% |
| 186 | Tonga | 4.1% | 2026projection | 1.2% |
| 187 | Republic of the Congo | 5.2% | 2026projection | 0.7% |
| 188 | Oman | 6.0% | 2026projection | 0.6% |
| 189 | Macao | 8.4% | 2026projection | 8.3% |
| 190 | Norway | 13.5% | 2026projection | 10.6% |
| 191 | Nauru | 14.5% | 2026projection | 3.5% |
| 192 | Kuwait | 15.8% | 2026projection | 24.5% |
Rows can refer to different years, and IMF figures for a year that has not ended are projections; compare years before comparing values. Values are rounded for display; the CSV download has full precision.
No figure: American Samoa, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Eritrea, Faroe Islands, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guam, Isle of Man, Kosovo, Monaco, New Caledonia, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Syria, Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Bank and Gaza.
Embed this map
<a href="https://statisticsoftheworld.com/budget-deficit-by-country"><img src="https://statisticsoftheworld.com/maps/IMF.GGXCNL_NGDP.svg" width="960" height="500" alt="World map of general government budget balance, mostly 2026 IMF projections. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook."></a>
<p>Source: IMF World Economic Outlook. Map: <a href="https://statisticsoftheworld.com/budget-deficit-by-country">Statistics of the World</a></p>Then and now
By region
| Region | Countries | Highest | Lowest | Median, each country counted once |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Asia & Pacific | 31 | Nauru (14.5%) | Timor-Leste (-55.9%) | -2.9% |
| Europe & Central Asia | 51 | Norway (13.5%) | Ukraine (-11.3%) | -2.7% |
| Latin America & Caribbean | 34 | Aruba (2.3%) and Nicaragua (2.3%) | Grenada (-11.1%) | -3.1% |
| Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan | 21 | Kuwait (15.8%) | Libya (-22.5%) | -3.9% |
| North America | 2 | Canada (-2.5%) | United States (-8.5%) | -5.5% |
| South Asia | 6 | Bhutan (-0.4%) | Maldives (-11.9%) | -3.5% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 47 | Republic of the Congo (5.2%) | Gabon (-10.4%) | -3.3% |
The 2026 figures are IMF projections, not measured values.
Where major economies rank
- United States: -8.5% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 18 of 192.
- China: -8.0% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 20 of 192.
- India: -7.5% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 21 of 192.
- Japan: -1.4% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 135 of 192.
- Germany: -4.3% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 54 of 192.
- United Kingdom: -3.8% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 71 of 192.
- France: -5.4% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 39 of 192.
- Brazil: -8.1% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 19 of 192.
- Canada: -2.5% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 116 of 192.
- Nigeria: -3.3% in 2026 (IMF projection), rank 87 of 192.
About budget deficit
The balance covers central, state and local government and social security funds where the country reports them. A deficit adds to government debt; a persistent deficit larger than the economy’s growth raises the debt-to-GDP ratio.
Current-year figures are projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook, made before the year ends and revised at each release. The second column gives the previous year for comparison.
About these figures
Definition. General government net lending or borrowing relative to GDP. (The publisher's definition of “General government net lending/borrowing”, copied from the International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook) on 2026-09-07.)
Unit. percent of GDP
Coverage. 192 of 217 countries and territories have a figure. 187 of 192 countries show 2026 (IMF projections); the other 5 show their latest available year (2025).
IMF projection: a forecast from the IMF World Economic Outlook, revised at each release, not a measured value.
The median and any other summary on this page count each country once, so they are not world averages. Values are rounded for display; the CSV download has full precision.
The IMF publishes the World Economic Outlook in April and October and can revise past years in each edition.
Questions about these figures
Which country has the highest general government budget balance?
Kuwait has the highest general government budget balance: 15.8% in 2026 (IMF projection). The figures come from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Which country has the lowest general government budget balance?
Timor-Leste has the lowest general government budget balance: -55.9% in 2026 (IMF projection).
How many countries are ranked, and for which years?
192 countries and territories have a figure in this ranking. 187 of 192 countries show 2026 (IMF projections); the other 5 show their latest available year (2025).
What is the median general government budget balance across countries?
The median is -3.1%: half of the 192 countries are above it and half below. The most common year of the figures is 2026, an IMF projection year. It counts each country once, so it is not a world average.
Where does the United States rank on general government budget balance?
The United States ranks 18 of 192, at -8.5% in 2026 (IMF projection).
Which country has the highest general government budget balance in each region?
East Asia & Pacific: Nauru (14.5%); Europe & Central Asia: Norway (13.5%); Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan: Kuwait (15.8%); North America: Canada (-2.5%); South Asia: Bhutan (-0.4%); Sub-Saharan Africa: the Republic of the Congo (5.2%). Figures are 2026 IMF projections unless another year is shown. Regions follow the World Bank's groups.
Are these figures forecasts?
187 of the 192 figures are IMF projections: forecasts for a year that has not ended, from the World Economic Outlook, revised at each release, not measured values. Each row shows its own year.
Use and cite this data
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Statistics of the World. Budget Deficit by Country: 2026 Rankings. Data: IMF World Economic Outlook, figures for 2025 to 2026. https://statisticsoftheworld.com/budget-deficit-by-country