Iraq Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Iraq's budget deficit was -6.30% in 2025, ranked 158th globally. This represents a 51.9% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2004–2025.
Overview
Iraq's budget deficit stood at -6.30% in 2025, a decline of +2.15% from 2024. The IMF projects -6.30% by 2025. Iraq ranked 158th globally.
Iraq’s primary fiscal balance remains in deficit, standing at ‑6.29 percent of GDP in 2025, which places the country at rank 158 globally and ties it with Rwanda on the IMF World Economic Outlook list. The deficit is markedly narrower than the all‑time trough of ‑35.40 percent recorded in 2004, reflecting a gradual improvement after the severe fiscal contraction that followed the early‑2000s conflict. Nevertheless, the figure is still well below the all‑time peak of 10.72 percent in 2006, when oil‑price volatility and heightened security spending pushed the budget into surplus. Compared with regional peers, Iraq’s deficit is marginally larger than Israel’s ‑6.37 percent and South Africa’s ‑5.99 percent, but tighter than Uganda’s ‑6.68 percent, underscoring the persistent fiscal pressure despite higher oil revenues. Continued diversification of revenue sources and disciplined expenditure management will be crucial to sustain the modest deficit reduction and prevent a reversal of the downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -5.91% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -6.16% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -6.34% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -6.81% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -7.09% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -6.30% | - | - |
| 2025 | -6.30% | −2.15% | #158 |
| 2024 | -4.14% | −3.00% | #59 |
| 2023 | -1.14% | −9.24% | #134 |
| 2022 | 8.10% | +8.48% | #181 |
| 2021 | -0.38% | +12.44% | #159 |
| 2020 | -12.82% | −13.65% | #18 |
| 2019 | 0.83% | −6.85% | #152 |
| 2018 | 7.69% | +9.21% | #185 |
| 2017 | -1.52% | +12.93% | #114 |
| 2016 | -14.45% | −1.62% | #9 |
| 2015 | -12.83% | −7.20% | #12 |
| 2014 | -5.63% | +0.43% | #29 |
| 2013 | -6.06% | −10.16% | #24 |
| 2012 | 4.09% | −0.65% | #170 |
| 2011 | 4.74% | +8.92% | #175 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's budget deficit was -6.30% in 2025. Ranked 158th globally. This represents a 51.9% decrease from the previous year.
Iraq's budget deficit peaked at 10.72% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in Iraq was -35.40% in 2004.
Iraq ranks 158th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Iraq's budget deficit is projected to reach -6.30% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Iraq in 2025 was -6.30%. This ranks 158th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_budget-deficit,
title = {Iraq Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}