Government net lending/borrowing in Iran

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -5.2% 2027: -4.7% 2028: -4.3% 2029: -4.1% 2030: -3.8% 2031: -3.6%

-0.5 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	-0.5
Jan 1998	-5.0
Jan 1997	-1.8
Jan 1996	-0.7
Jan 1995	-2.6
Jan 1994	-3.4
Jan 1993	-5.1
Jan 1992	-0.9
Jan 1991	-1.6
Jan 1990	-1.7

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 balance of Iran's government accounts: a deficit occurs when spending exceeds revenue, a surplus when the reverse holds. Compiled by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance and the budget authority, and usually expressed as a percentage of GDP.

How it's calculated

Calculated as the gap between central government revenue and spending under the annual budget approved by parliament (the Majlis), following IMF government finance statistics standards, and expressed relative to GDP. Figures rely heavily on estimates given the dominance of the oil sector.

Market implications

Iran's deficit is tightly linked to oil revenue and the impact of international sanctions, which curb exports and hard-currency access. A worsening fiscal position tends to fuel deficit monetisation, high inflation and depreciation of the rial.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency, poorly standardised series subject to large revisions and to external estimation (IMF). Iran's fiscal year is not the calendar year, oil-price swings distort revenue, and official figures are of limited reliability.