Government net lending/borrowing in Greece

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 0.6% 2027: -0.2% 2028: -0.2% 2029: -0.5% 2030: -0.6% 2031: -0.7%

-6.0 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	-6.0
Jan 1998	-6.5
Jan 1997	-6.2
Jan 1996	-8.4
Jan 1995	-9.9
Jan 1994	-8.5
Jan 1993	-11.5
Jan 1992	-10.6
Jan 1991	-9.6
Jan 1990	-13.3

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Greece's government deficit is the negative balance of the public accounts when spending exceeds revenue in a year; when revenue exceeds spending there is a surplus. It is usually expressed as a percentage of GDP.

How it's calculated

It is calculated as general government net lending or net borrowing under ESA 2010, the harmonised standard Eurostat applies across the EU. The balance is expressed relative to GDP to obtain the ratio.

Market implications

The deficit determines the state's financing needs and the path of public debt, an especially sensitive issue in Greece after its debt crisis. The primary balance is closely tracked by markets and the European institutions.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency reading subject to revision, including Eurostat validation. It is worth distinguishing the headline balance from the primary balance (which excludes interest) and from the cyclical component tied to the economic cycle.