United Kingdom—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #121 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
-1.6%
2031
YoY Change
+5.9%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#121
of 192 countries
Maximum
1.4%
2000
Minimum
-12.9%
2020
Last
-1.6%
Previous
-1.7%
Highest
1.4%
Lowest
-12.9%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
United Kingdom's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was -3.9% in 2026, ranking #121 out of 192 countries. This represents a +5.9% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 1.4% (2000) and the lowest was -12.9% (2020). The IMF WEO projects -1.6% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | -1.6% | +5.9% |
| 2030 | -1.7% | +15.0% |
| 2029 | -2.0% | +23.1% |
| 2028 | -2.6% | +16.1% |
| 2027 | -3.1% | +20.5% |
| 2026 | -3.9% | +27.8% |
| 2025 | -5.4% | +11.5% |
| 2024 | -6.1% | -1.7% |
| 2023 | -6.0% | -30.4% |
| 2022 | -4.6% | +38.7% |
| 2021 | -7.5% | +41.9% |
| 2020 | -12.9% | -437.5% |
| 2019 | -2.4% | -9.1% |
| 2018 | -2.2% | +12.0% |
| 2017 | -2.5% | +24.2% |
| 2016 | -3.3% | +26.7% |
| 2015 | -4.5% | +18.2% |
| 2014 | -5.5% | -3.8% |
| 2013 | -5.3% | +33.8% |
| 2012 | -8.0% | -8.1% |
| 2011 | -7.4% | +19.6% |
| 2010 | -9.2% | +8.0% |
| 2009 | -10.0% | -100.0% |
| 2008 | -5.0% | -92.3% |
| 2007 | -2.6% | +3.7% |
| 2006 | -2.7% | +12.9% |
| 2005 | -3.1% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | -3.1% | +3.1% |
| 2003 | -3.2% | -68.4% |
| 2002 | -1.9% | -733.3% |
| 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 | -3.9% | +27.8% |
| 2027Forecast | -3.1% | +20.5% |
| 2028Forecast | -2.6% | +16.1% |
| 2029Forecast | -2.0% | +23.1% |
| 2030Forecast | -1.7% | +15.0% |
| 2031Forecast | -1.6% | +5.9% |
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