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Budget balance
What this indicator measures
The difference between what the government takes in and what it spends, compared with the size of the economy.
How to read this?
Negative = deficit (the state spends more than it earns and goes into debt); positive = surplus.
Ranking : ranked from highest to lowest
In brief
The "Budget balance" ranking covers 158 countries and territories. Lowest value: Ukraine (-17.8 %). Highest value: Nauru (15.1 %). Median: -2.2 % (data: 1980–2024). The top 10% of countries exceed 2.6 %, while the bottom 10% stay below -7 %. By continent, the median is highest in Oceania (-1.3 %) and lowest in Africa (-4 %).
Median by continent
- Oceania -1.3 % (13)
- Europe -1.6 % (40)
- Asia -2 % (36)
- North America -2.2 % (18)
- South America -2.8 % (9)
- Africa -4 % (39)
Why this indicator matters
The fiscal balance compares what the state takes in with what it spends. It shows whether public finances are balanced, in deficit or in surplus, and lets you compare the fiscal health of countries of different sizes through a ratio to national wealth.
What makes this indicator vary
The balance worsens when spending grows faster than revenue, during a recession, a crisis or a support plan. It improves when growth brings in more taxes, when the state cuts spending or receives exceptional revenue, such as from commodities.
Reading precautions
A deficit is not always a bad sign: it can finance useful investment or cushion a crisis. The value covers the central government and can therefore vary depending on the scope each country uses.
Full ranking
ranked from highest to lowest
| Rank | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1er | 🇳🇷 Nauru | 15.1 % | 2024 |
| 2e | 🇳🇴 Norway | 13.6 % | 2024 |
| 3e | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 11.5 % | 2022 |
| 4e | 🇱🇸 Lesotho | 7.2 % | 2024 |
| 5e | 🇸🇨 Seychelles | 7.2 % | 2008 |
| 6e | 🇲🇴 Macao SAR China | 7 % | 2024 |
| 7e | 🇫🇲 Micronesia | 6.9 % | 2020 |
| 8e | 🇹🇴 Tonga | 5.3 % | 2023 |
| 9e | 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands | 5 % | 2020 |
| 10e | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 4.4 % | 2024 |
| 11e | 🇼🇸 Samoa | 4.4 % | 2023 |
| 12e | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 4.2 % | 2024 |
| 13e | 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 4.2 % | 2024 |
| 14e | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 3.9 % | 2024 |
| 15e | 🇸🇬 Singapore | 3.4 % | 2024 |
| 16e | 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | 3.2 % | 2024 |
| 17e | 🇳🇮 Nicaragua | 2.3 % | 2024 |
| 18e | 🇦🇩 Andorra | 2.3 % | 2024 |
| 19e | 🇬🇲 Gambia | 2.1 % | 1990 |
| 20e | 🇮🇶 Iraq | 2 % | 2019 |
| 21e | 🇲🇳 Mongolia | 1.8 % | 2024 |
| 22e | 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | 1.6 % | 2022 |
| 23e | 🇷🇺 Russia | 1.6 % | 2024 |
| 24e | 🇨🇬 Congo - Brazzaville | 1.3 % | 2021 |
| 25e | 🇧🇾 Belarus | 1.3 % | 2024 |
| 26e | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | 1.2 % | 2007 |
| 27e | 🇬🇷 Greece | 1.2 % | 2024 |
| 28e | 🇸🇲 San Marino | 1.2 % | 2023 |
| 29e | 🇱🇧 Lebanon | 1.2 % | 2024 |
| 30e | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 0.8 % | 2024 |
| 31e | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | 0.7 % | 2023 |
| 32e | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 0.5 % | 2024 |
| 33e | 🇮🇷 Iran | 0.5 % | 2009 |
| 34e | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 35e | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 36e | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 0.4 % | 2017 |
| 37e | 🇱🇦 Laos | 0.2 % | 2022 |
| 38e | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 39e | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 0.1 % | 2024 |
| 40e | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | -0 % | 2022 |
| 41e | 🇹🇯 Tajikistan | -0.2 % | 2024 |
| 42e | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | -0.5 % | 2024 |
| 43e | 🇧🇮 Burundi | -0.6 % | 2021 |
| 44e | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | -0.6 % | 2024 |
| 45e | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | -0.6 % | 2024 |
| 46e | 🇸🇪 Sweden | -0.7 % | 2024 |
| 47e | 🇱🇨 St. Lucia | -0.9 % | 2017 |
| 48e | 🇬🇹 Guatemala | -0.9 % | 2024 |
| 49e | 🇦🇱 Albania | -1 % | 2024 |
| 50e | 🇮🇸 Iceland | -1.1 % | 2023 |
| 51e | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | -1.1 % | 2023 |
| 52e | 🇧🇿 Belize | -1.2 % | 2017 |
| 53e | 🇨🇦 Canada | -1.2 % | 2024 |
| 54e | 🇧🇸 Bahamas | -1.2 % | 2024 |
| 55e | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | -1.3 % | 2024 |
| 56e | 🇦🇴 Angola | -1.3 % | 2024 |
| 57e | 🇪🇪 Estonia | -1.3 % | 2024 |
| 58e | 🇦🇺 Australia | -1.3 % | 2022 |
| 59e | 🇰🇮 Kiribati | -1.4 % | 2023 |
| 60e | 🇭🇷 Croatia | -1.4 % | 2023 |
| 61e | 🇬🇦 Gabon | -1.5 % | 2021 |
| 62e | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | -1.5 % | 2024 |
| 63e | 🇹🇭 Thailand | -1.5 % | 2024 |
| 64e | 🇻🇨 St. Vincent & Grenadines | -1.5 % | 2017 |
| 65e | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | -1.6 % | 2009 |
| 66e | 🇩🇪 Germany | -1.7 % | 2024 |
| 67e | 🇬🇭 Ghana | -1.7 % | 2023 |
| 68e | 🇸🇩 Sudan | -1.7 % | 2016 |
| 69e | 🇰🇷 South Korea | -1.8 % | 2024 |
| 70e | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | -1.9 % | 2024 |
| 71e | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | -1.9 % | 2024 |
| 72e | 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands | -1.9 % | 2024 |
| 73e | 🇬🇳 Guinea | -2 % | 1992 |
| 74e | 🇱🇻 Latvia | -2 % | 2024 |
| 75e | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | -2.1 % | 2024 |
| 76e | 🇨🇩 Congo - Kinshasa | -2.1 % | 2022 |
| 77e | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | -2.1 % | 2024 |
| 78e | 🇬🇪 Georgia | -2.1 % | 2024 |
| 79e | 🇫🇯 Fiji | -2.2 % | 2024 |
| 80e | 🇰🇳 St. Kitts & Nevis | -2.3 % | 2020 |
| 81e | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | -2.3 % | 2024 |
| 82e | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | -2.5 % | 2024 |
| 83e | 🇧🇹 Bhutan | -2.5 % | 2020 |
| 84e | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | -2.6 % | 2024 |
| 85e | 🇧🇪 Belgium | -2.7 % | 2024 |
| 86e | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | -2.8 % | 2021 |
| 87e | 🇨🇿 Czechia | -2.8 % | 2024 |
| 88e | 🇨🇱 Chile | -2.8 % | 2024 |
| 89e | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | -2.8 % | 2021 |
| 90e | 🇯🇲 Jamaica | -2.8 % | 2020 |
| 91e | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | -2.9 % | 2024 |
| 92e | 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | -2.9 % | 2024 |
| 93e | 🇷🇸 Serbia | -3.1 % | 2022 |
| 94e | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | -3.1 % | 2024 |
| 95e | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | -3.2 % | 2024 |
| 96e | 🇪🇸 Spain | -3.2 % | 2024 |
| 97e | 🇿🇲 Zambia | -3.2 % | 2024 |
| 98e | 🇵🇪 Peru | -3.2 % | 2021 |
| 99e | 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea | -3.3 % | 2024 |
| 100e | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | -3.3 % | 2023 |
| 101e | 🇮🇹 Italy | -3.4 % | 2024 |
| 102e | 🇫🇮 Finland | -3.5 % | 2024 |
| 103e | 🇲🇱 Mali | -3.5 % | 2020 |
| 104e | 🇲🇹 Malta | -3.5 % | 2024 |
| 105e | 🇦🇹 Austria | -3.6 % | 2024 |
| 106e | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | -3.6 % | 2018 |
| 107e | 🇦🇲 Armenia | -3.6 % | 2024 |
| 108e | 🇲🇲 Myanmar (Burma) | -3.6 % | 2019 |
| 109e | 🇲🇦 Morocco | -4 % | 2024 |
| 110e | 🇲🇩 Moldova | -4 % | 2024 |
| 111e | 🇳🇪 Niger | -4 % | 1980 |
| 112e | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | -4 % | 2021 |
| 113e | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | -4.1 % | 2024 |
| 114e | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | -4.1 % | 2023 |
| 115e | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | -4.1 % | 2024 |
| 116e | 🇧🇧 Barbados | -4.1 % | 2016 |
| 117e | 🇧🇼 Botswana | -4.2 % | 2023 |
| 118e | 🇲🇿 Mozambique | -4.3 % | 2024 |
| 119e | 🇺🇬 Uganda | -4.3 % | 2024 |
| 120e | 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | -4.3 % | 2024 |
| 121e | 🇭🇺 Hungary | -4.5 % | 2024 |
| 122e | 🇭🇳 Honduras | -4.5 % | 2020 |
| 123e | 🇸🇿 Eswatini | -4.6 % | 2021 |
| 124e | 🇨🇴 Colombia | -4.6 % | 2024 |
| 125e | 🇯🇴 Jordan | -4.7 % | 2023 |
| 126e | 🇳🇦 Namibia | -4.7 % | 2024 |
| 127e | 🇿🇦 South Africa | -4.8 % | 2024 |
| 128e | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | -4.8 % | 2012 |
| 129e | 🇸🇳 Senegal | -4.9 % | 2023 |
| 130e | 🇫🇷 France | -5.2 % | 2024 |
| 131e | 🇮🇳 India | -5.3 % | 2022 |
| 132e | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | -5.4 % | 2024 |
| 133e | 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire | -5.4 % | 2023 |
| 134e | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | -5.4 % | 2024 |
| 135e | 🇰🇼 Kuwait | -5.6 % | 1998 |
| 136e | 🇵🇭 Philippines | -5.7 % | 2024 |
| 137e | 🇧🇷 Brazil | -5.7 % | 2024 |
| 138e | 🇳🇵 Nepal | -5.9 % | 2023 |
| 139e | 🇲🇽 Mexico | -5.9 % | 2024 |
| 140e | 🇹🇬 Togo | -6.2 % | 2023 |
| 141e | 🇵🇱 Poland | -6.9 % | 2024 |
| 142e | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | -6.9 % | 2024 |
| 143e | 🇺🇸 United States | -7.2 % | 2024 |
| 144e | 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | -8 % | 2024 |
| 145e | 🇲🇺 Mauritius | -8.1 % | 2024 |
| 146e | 🇮🇱 Israel | -8.2 % | 2024 |
| 147e | 🇵🇦 Panama | -8.2 % | 2024 |
| 148e | 🇷🇴 Romania | -8.8 % | 2024 |
| 149e | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | -9.2 % | 2023 |
| 150e | 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | -9.4 % | 2020 |
| 151e | 🇵🇼 Palau | -9.5 % | 2020 |
| 152e | 🇰🇪 Kenya | -10 % | 2023 |
| 153e | 🇲🇻 Maldives | -10.1 % | 2021 |
| 154e | 🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago | -10.6 % | 2019 |
| 155e | 🇪🇬 Egypt | -10.7 % | 2015 |
| 156e | 🇲🇼 Malawi | -11.8 % | 2024 |
| 157e | 🇧🇭 Bahrain | -12.4 % | 2020 |
| 158e | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | -17.8 % | 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the highest value for "Budget balance"?
The highest value is in Nauru, at 15.1 % (2024).
Which country has the lowest value for "Budget balance"?
The lowest value is in Ukraine, at -17.8 % (2024).
What is the world median value of "Budget balance"?
The world median is -2.2 %, calculated across 158 countries: half of the countries are above it, the other half below.
What is the value of "Budget balance" for France?
France scores -5.2 % (2024), ranking 130 out of 158 countries (ranked from highest to lowest).
Where does the "Budget balance" data come from?
It comes from Banque mondiale – Indicateurs du développement dans le monde (GC.NLD.TOTL.GD.ZS). Site last updated: November 8, 2026. Each country is shown with the year of its most recent value.
What is the difference between deficit and debt?
The deficit is the gap between spending and revenue over one year. Debt is the accumulated total of all unpaid borrowing. Each deficit is added to the existing debt.
Is a budget surplus always desirable?
Not necessarily. It can help reduce debt, but if it comes from a lack of investment or public services, it can hold back the economy. The right level depends on the country's situation.
Source and update
Source : Banque mondiale – Indicateurs du développement dans le monde (GC.NLD.TOTL.GD.ZS). Site last updated: November 8, 2026.
Indicators in the same category : Public finances
- Government final consumptionWhat the government spends to run public services (salaries, supplies and so on), compared with the country's wealth.
- Central government debtWhat the central government owes in total, compared with what the country produces in one year.
- Research and development spendingWhat the country (government and businesses) invests in research and innovation, compared with its wealth.
- Military spendingWhat the country spends on its armed forces, compared with its wealth.
- Central government spendingWhat the central government spends each year (salaries, pensions, roads, health and so on), compared with the size of the economy.
- Share of income taxes in government revenueCitizens and companies pay taxes to the state. This indicator shows what share of central government revenue comes from taxes on income, corporate profits and capital gains, rather than from other revenue (sales taxes, customs duties, grants, etc.).
- Tax revenueThe taxes and duties collected by the central government, compared with the size of the economy.