Australia Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Australia's budget deficit was -2.73% in 2025, ranked 89th globally. This represents a 21.3% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1988–2025.
Overview
Australia's budget deficit stood at -2.73% in 2025, a decline of +0.48% from 2024. The IMF projects -2.73% by 2025. Australia ranked 89th globally.
Australia’s general government budget deficit stood at –2.73 % of GDP in 2025, placing it 89th in the IMF World Economic Outlook rankings and matching the deficits of Ghana and Serbia while slightly exceeding Spain’s –2.72 % and falling just above the Russian Federation’s –2.74 %. The deficit trajectory has swung markedly over the 38‑year series, rising from a modest surplus of 0.48 % of GDP in 1988 to a peak of 1.77 % in 2006, before plunging to an all‑time trough of –8.73 % during the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020. The post‑pandemic period has seen the shortfall recede but remain firmly in negative territory, reflecting continued fiscal pressures from ageing demographics, infrastructure spending and periodic revenue shortfalls. If revenue growth accelerates and spending restraint is sustained, the deficit could narrow further, potentially returning to a modest surplus within the next few years.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -1.55% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -1.63% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -1.78% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -1.92% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -2.31% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -2.73% | - | - |
| 2025 | -2.73% | −0.48% | #89 |
| 2024 | -2.25% | −0.98% | #106 |
| 2023 | -1.27% | +0.95% | #128 |
| 2022 | -2.21% | +4.16% | #107 |
| 2021 | -6.37% | +2.36% | #49 |
| 2020 | -8.73% | −4.32% | #52 |
| 2019 | -4.41% | −3.15% | #43 |
| 2018 | -1.26% | +0.46% | #107 |
| 2017 | -1.72% | +0.71% | #108 |
| 2016 | -2.42% | +0.36% | #99 |
| 2015 | -2.79% | +0.13% | #93 |
| 2014 | -2.92% | −0.11% | #88 |
| 2013 | -2.81% | +0.70% | #86 |
| 2012 | -3.51% | +1.02% | #66 |
| 2011 | -4.53% | +0.59% | #47 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's budget deficit was -2.73% in 2025. Ranked 89th globally. This represents a 21.3% decrease from the previous year.
Australia's budget deficit peaked at 1.77% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in Australia was -8.73% in 2020.
Australia ranks 89th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Australia's budget deficit is projected to reach -2.73% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Australia in 2025 was -2.73%. This ranks 89th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_budget-deficit,
title = {Australia Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}