Iceland Government net lending/borrowing in Iceland

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -1.1% 2027: -0.5% 2028: -0.2% 2029: -0.1% 2030: -0.1% 2031: 0.0%
1.3 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV
Period% of GDP
Jan 1999 1.3
Jan 1998 -0.6
Jan 1997 0.0
Jan 1996 -1.5
Jan 1995 -2.8
Jan 1994 -4.4
Jan 1993 -4.2
Jan 1992 -1.8
Jan 1991 -0.6
Jan 1990 -3.1

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
Measures the deficit or surplus of Iceland's general government: a deficit occurs when spending exceeds revenue over the year. It is compiled by Statistics Iceland following the European methodology and is expressed as a share of GDP.
How it's calculated
Calculated as general government net lending or borrowing under the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010), on an accrual basis, and set against GDP to obtain the ratio. Iceland reports it to Eurostat through its EEA membership.
Market implications
The fiscal balance sets the path of debt and confidence in a small, open economy. A wide deficit can pressure the Icelandic króna and the risk premium; the Central Bank of Iceland factors it into monetary policy.
Limitations
It is a low-frequency, revisable figure. Iceland's economy is highly sensitive to shocks (tourism, fisheries, energy) and to one-off operations that can distort the balance year to year, so the primary and structural balances are worth watching.