Government net lending/borrowing in Kenya

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -6.6% 2027: -6.1% 2028: -5.9% 2029: -5.8% 2030: -5.8% 2031: -5.8%

0.8 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	0.8
Jan 1998	0.0
Jan 1997	-0.9
Jan 1996	-0.5
Jan 1995	-0.2
Jan 1994	-4.1
Jan 1993	-8.6
Jan 1992	-8.3
Jan 1991	-6.6
Jan 1990	-3.3

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

Measures the balance of Kenya's public accounts: a deficit occurs when government spending exceeds revenue over the year, and a surplus when the reverse holds. It is published by the National Treasury and is expressed as a share of GDP.

How it's calculated

Derived as the difference between government revenue and expenditure over the fiscal year (July to June) and set against nominal GDP to express it as a percentage.

Market implications

The deficit drives financing needs and the burden of a high public debt, much of it external. It is central to IMF programmes; a wide deficit pressures the Kenyan shilling, borrowing costs and credit ratings.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency and heavily revised figure. Budget execution often diverges from projections, debt service weighs heavily on spending, and the primary balance should be distinguished from the headline balance.