Iraq—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #175 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
-7.3%
2031
YoY Change
-15.9%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#175
of 192 countries
Maximum
10.7%
2006
Minimum
-35.4%
2004
Last
-7.3%
Previous
-6.3%
Highest
10.7%
Lowest
-35.4%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Iraq's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was -7.9% in 2026, ranking #175 out of 192 countries. This represents a -15.9% change from 2030. Over the past 23 years, the highest recorded value was 10.7% (2006) and the lowest was -35.4% (2004). The IMF WEO projects -7.3% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | -7.3% | -15.9% |
| 2030 | -6.3% | -10.5% |
| 2029 | -5.7% | -29.5% |
| 2028 | -4.4% | -63.0% |
| 2027 | -2.7% | +65.8% |
| 2026 | -7.9% | -23.4% |
| 2025 | -6.4% | -82.9% |
| 2024 | -3.5% | -218.2% |
| 2023 | -1.1% | -113.6% |
| 2022 | 8.1% | +2125.0% |
| 2021 | -0.4% | +96.9% |
| 2020 | -12.8% | -1700.0% |
| 2019 | 0.8% | -89.6% |
| 2018 | 7.7% | +613.3% |
| 2017 | -1.5% | +89.6% |
| 2016 | -14.4% | -12.5% |
| 2015 | -12.8% | -128.6% |
| 2014 | -5.6% | +8.2% |
| 2013 | -6.1% | -248.8% |
| 2012 | 4.1% | -12.8% |
| 2011 | 4.7% | +211.9% |
| 2010 | -4.2% | +71.8% |
| 2009 | -14.9% | -1555.6% |
| 2008 | -0.9% | -109.0% |
| 2007 | 10.0% | -6.5% |
| 2006 | 10.7% | +161.0% |
| 2005 | 4.1% | +111.6% |
| 2004 | -35.4% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | -7.9% | -23.4% |
| 2027Forecast | -2.7% | +65.8% |
| 2028Forecast | -4.4% | -63.0% |
| 2029Forecast | -5.7% | -29.5% |
| 2030Forecast | -6.3% | -10.5% |
| 2031Forecast | -7.3% | -15.9% |
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