Australia—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #77 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
-1.4%
2031
YoY Change
+6.7%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#77
of 192 countries
Maximum
1.8%
2006
Minimum
-8.7%
2020
Last
-1.4%
Previous
-1.5%
Highest
1.8%
Lowest
-8.7%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Australia's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was -2.4% in 2026, ranking #77 out of 192 countries. This represents a +6.7% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 1.8% (2006) and the lowest was -8.7% (2020). The IMF WEO projects -1.4% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | -1.4% | +6.7% |
| 2030 | -1.5% | +11.8% |
| 2029 | -1.7% | +10.5% |
| 2028 | -1.9% | +9.5% |
| 2027 | -2.1% | +12.5% |
| 2026 | -2.4% | +14.3% |
| 2025 | -2.8% | -21.7% |
| 2024 | -2.3% | -76.9% |
| 2023 | -1.3% | +40.9% |
| 2022 | -2.2% | +65.6% |
| 2021 | -6.4% | +26.4% |
| 2020 | -8.7% | -97.7% |
| 2019 | -4.4% | -238.5% |
| 2018 | -1.3% | +23.5% |
| 2017 | -1.7% | +29.2% |
| 2016 | -2.4% | +14.3% |
| 2015 | -2.8% | +3.4% |
| 2014 | -2.9% | -3.6% |
| 2013 | -2.8% | +20.0% |
| 2012 | -3.5% | +22.2% |
| 2011 | -4.5% | +11.8% |
| 2010 | -5.1% | -13.3% |
| 2009 | -4.5% | -309.1% |
| 2008 | -1.1% | -173.3% |
| 2007 | 1.5% | -16.7% |
| 2006 | 1.8% | +5.9% |
| 2005 | 1.7% | +30.8% |
| 2004 | 1.3% | +30.0% |
| 2003 | 1.0% | +400.0% |
| 2002 | 0.2% | |
| 2001 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2000 | 1.2% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | -2.4% | +14.3% |
| 2027Forecast | -2.1% | +12.5% |
| 2028Forecast | -1.9% | +9.5% |
| 2029Forecast | -1.7% | +10.5% |
| 2030Forecast | -1.5% | +11.8% |
| 2031Forecast | -1.4% | +6.7% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP