United Kingdom—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #122 of 192Updated July 2026
Latest Value
-3.0%
2027
YoY Change
+16.7%
2026 → 2027
Global Rank
#122
of 192 countries
Maximum
1.4%
2000
Minimum
-13.2%
2020
Last
-3.0%
Previous
-3.6%
Highest
1.4%
Lowest
-13.2%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
United Kingdom's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was -3.6% in 2026, ranking #122 out of 192 countries. This represents a +16.7% change from 2026. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 1.4% (2000) and the lowest was -13.2% (2020). The IMF WEO projects -3.0% by 2027. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | -3.0% | +16.7% |
| 2026 | -3.6% | +16.3% |
| 2025 | -4.3% | +24.6% |
| 2024 | -5.7% | +6.6% |
| 2023 | -6.1% | -32.6% |
| 2022 | -4.6% | +40.3% |
| 2021 | -7.7% | +41.7% |
| 2020 | -13.2% | -428.0% |
| 2019 | -2.5% | -8.7% |
| 2018 | -2.3% | +8.0% |
| 2017 | -2.5% | +24.2% |
| 2016 | -3.3% | +28.3% |
| 2015 | -4.6% | +16.4% |
| 2014 | -5.5% | -3.8% |
| 2013 | -5.3% | +28.4% |
| 2012 | -7.4% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | -7.4% | +19.6% |
| 2010 | -9.2% | +8.9% |
| 2009 | -10.1% | -98.0% |
| 2008 | -5.1% | -88.9% |
| 2007 | -2.7% | +3.6% |
| 2006 | -2.8% | +12.5% |
| 2005 | -3.2% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | -3.2% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | -3.2% | -60.0% |
| 2002 | -2.0% | -766.7% |
| 2001 | 0.3% | -78.6% |
| 2000 | 1.4% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | -3.6% | +16.3% |
| 2027Forecast | -3.0% | +16.7% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Nauru | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Lesotho | 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