Belgium Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Belgium's budget deficit was -5.53% in 2025, ranked 154th globally. This represents a 22.3% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Belgium's budget deficit stood at -5.53% in 2025, a decline of +1.01% from 2024. The IMF projects -5.53% by 2025. Belgium ranked 154th globally.
Belgium’s general government budget deficit has narrowed to –5.53 percent of GDP in 2025, placing it 154th in the global ranking and slightly above the –5.51 percent recorded by Armenia and below France’s –5.44 percent. The current deficit is far less severe than the all‑time trough of –16.03 percent reached in 1981, yet it remains higher than the modest surplus of 0.24 percent recorded at the 2006 peak. Over the 46‑year series, the deficit has fluctuated markedly, reflecting structural fiscal adjustments and the impact of economic cycles, including the post‑2008 recovery and the recent pandemic shock. Compared with peers such as Kenya (–5.96 percent) and South Africa (–5.99 percent), Belgium’s fiscal position is relatively moderate, but the persistence of a negative balance suggests that further consolidation will be required. Continued expenditure restraint and revenue growth will be essential to shift the trajectory toward a sustainable surplus in the medium term.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -6.40% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -6.14% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -5.86% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -5.61% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -5.48% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -5.53% | - | - |
| 2025 | -5.53% | −1.01% | #154 |
| 2024 | -4.52% | −0.42% | #55 |
| 2023 | -4.10% | −0.48% | #65 |
| 2022 | -3.62% | +1.78% | #83 |
| 2021 | -5.40% | +3.63% | #69 |
| 2020 | -9.04% | −6.99% | #48 |
| 2019 | -2.05% | −1.00% | #86 |
| 2018 | -1.05% | −0.29% | #111 |
| 2017 | -0.76% | +1.67% | #133 |
| 2016 | -2.43% | +0.04% | #98 |
| 2015 | -2.48% | +0.70% | #107 |
| 2014 | -3.18% | −0.01% | #77 |
| 2013 | -3.16% | +1.18% | #78 |
| 2012 | -4.35% | +0.09% | #49 |
| 2011 | -4.44% | −0.31% | #51 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belgium 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
Belgium's budget deficit was -5.53% in 2025. Ranked 154th globally. This represents a 22.3% decrease from the previous year.
Belgium's budget deficit peaked at 0.24% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in Belgium was -16.03% in 1981.
Belgium ranks 154th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Belgium's budget deficit is projected to reach -5.53% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Belgium in 2025 was -5.53%. This ranks 154th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belgium_budget-deficit,
title = {Belgium Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belgium/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}