Government net lending/borrowing in Malaysia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -3.3% 2027: -3.0% 2028: -2.7% 2029: -2.7% 2030: -2.7% 2031: -2.7%

-3.0 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	-3.0
Jan 1998	-0.6
Jan 1997	4.8
Jan 1996	3.3
Jan 1995	3.1
Jan 1994	5.4
Jan 1993	3.4
Jan 1992	1.8
Jan 1991	1.6
Jan 1990	0.1

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 balance of Malaysia'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 Ministry of Finance and is expressed as a share of GDP.

How it's calculated

Derived as the difference between federal government revenue and expenditure over the fiscal year and set against nominal GDP. Petroleum revenue and Petronas dividends carry significant weight.

Market implications

The deficit drives issuance needs and the public-debt path, a key market focus for Malaysia. A wide deficit pressures the ringgit and credit ratings; Bank Negara Malaysia keeps it in view.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency, revisable figure. Reliance on oil revenue and subsidies (fuel, food) makes the balance sensitive to commodity prices and to one-off policy decisions.