Pakistan Government net lending/borrowing in Pakistan

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -3.2% 2027: -3.2% 2028: -3.0% 2029: -2.8% 2030: -3.6% 2031: -4.6%
-3.1 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV
Period% of GDP
Jan 1999 -3.1
Jan 1998 -4.5
Jan 1997 -3.9
Jan 1996 -4.3
Jan 1995 -3.9
Jan 1994 -3.6
Jan 1993 -5.5

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
Pakistan's government budget balance is the shortfall recorded when public spending exceeds revenue over the fiscal year; when revenue exceeds spending there is a surplus. Published by the Ministry of Finance, it is usually expressed as a percentage of GDP.
How it's calculated
It is the difference between government (federal and provincial) revenue and spending over the period, scaled against GDP to obtain the ratio. The figures are annual, with particular focus on the primary balance and tax collection.
Market implications
The deficit drives Pakistan's borrowing needs and the path of its high public debt. It is a central condition of its IMF programmes: the primary-balance and revenue targets are closely watched by investors, the rupee and the rating agencies.
Limitations
It is a low-frequency figure subject to revision. It is worth distinguishing the headline balance from the primary balance, which excludes debt interest that absorbs a very large share of revenue; the low tax take shapes the entire trajectory.