Bangladesh Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Bangladesh's budget deficit was -3.79% in 2025, ranked 124th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's budget deficit stood at -3.79% in 2025, a decline of +0.10% from 2024. The IMF projects -3.79% by 2025. Bangladesh ranked 124th globally.
Bangladesh’s fiscal balance has narrowed considerably since the early 1980s, moving from an all‑time trough of –5.94 % of GDP in 1980 to a modest deficit of –3.79 % in 2025, placing the country 124th globally. The only period of a surplus was the brief all‑time peak of 0.44 % in 1991, after which deficits re‑emerged and persisted for three decades. The 2025 figure is closely aligned with peers such as Morocco (–3.80 %) and Fiji (–3.70 %), indicating that Bangladesh now operates within a regional band of modest deficits rather than the deep imbalances of the 1980s. The sustained reduction reflects higher tax collections, improved expenditure controls, and a growing export‑oriented economy, yet the deficit remains above the fiscal prudence threshold of 3 % of GDP advocated by many international institutions. Continued progress in revenue mobilization and structural reforms could push the deficit lower, potentially achieving a primary surplus if growth accelerates and spending efficiency improves.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -5.13% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -5.00% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -4.96% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -4.46% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -3.94% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -3.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | -3.79% | −0.10% | #124 |
| 2024 | -3.70% | +0.69% | #70 |
| 2023 | -4.39% | +0.14% | #57 |
| 2022 | -4.53% | −0.97% | #63 |
| 2021 | -3.56% | +1.29% | #100 |
| 2020 | -4.84% | +0.57% | #117 |
| 2019 | -5.41% | −1.34% | #29 |
| 2018 | -4.07% | +0.10% | #45 |
| 2017 | -4.17% | −1.00% | #48 |
| 2016 | -3.16% | +0.13% | #77 |
| 2015 | -3.29% | −0.67% | #84 |
| 2014 | -2.62% | +0.24% | #102 |
| 2013 | -2.86% | −0.30% | #84 |
| 2012 | -2.56% | +0.41% | #89 |
| 2011 | -2.97% | −0.73% | #85 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's budget deficit was -3.79% in 2025. Ranked 124th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year.
Bangladesh's budget deficit peaked at 0.44% in 1991.
The lowest budget deficit in Bangladesh was -5.94% in 1980.
Bangladesh ranks 124th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Bangladesh's budget deficit is projected to reach -3.79% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Bangladesh in 2025 was -3.79%. This ranks 124th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_budget-deficit,
title = {Bangladesh Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}