Montenegro Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Montenegro's budget deficit was -3.53% in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 25.8% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2002–2025.
Overview
Montenegro's budget deficit stood at -3.53% in 2025, a decline of +0.72% from 2024. The IMF projects -3.53% by 2025. Montenegro ranked 115th globally.
Montenegro’s primary budget deficit has widened to –3.53 percent of GDP in 2025, placing the country at rank 115 globally and slightly above the recent performance of Latvia (–3.46 percent) and the Philippines (–3.57 percent). The deficit trajectory has shifted markedly from the early 2000s, when the gap was –1.44 percent in 2002, to a pronounced peak of 8.44 percent in 2007, reflecting expansive fiscal policy before the global financial crisis. The COVID‑19 pandemic generated the deepest short‑run contraction, with the deficit falling to an all‑time trough of –11.01 percent in 2020 as revenue fell and emergency spending rose. Since then, gradual fiscal consolidation has reduced the shortfall, but the current level remains elevated relative to the pre‑crisis average. Continued structural reforms and disciplined expenditure controls will be essential to sustain the modest improvement and steer the deficit back toward a sustainable margin in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -4.30% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -4.27% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -4.13% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -3.79% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -3.51% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -3.53% | - | - |
| 2025 | -3.53% | −0.72% | #115 |
| 2024 | -2.81% | −3.66% | #92 |
| 2023 | 0.86% | +4.92% | #160 |
| 2022 | -4.07% | −2.35% | #70 |
| 2021 | -1.72% | +9.29% | #139 |
| 2020 | -11.01% | −9.27% | #24 |
| 2019 | -1.74% | +4.56% | #96 |
| 2018 | -6.30% | +0.59% | #19 |
| 2017 | -6.89% | −0.68% | #19 |
| 2016 | -6.21% | −0.18% | #33 |
| 2015 | -6.03% | −5.33% | #38 |
| 2014 | -0.70% | +3.84% | #140 |
| 2013 | -4.54% | +1.33% | #49 |
| 2012 | -5.87% | +0.92% | #32 |
| 2011 | -6.79% | −1.91% | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Montenegro matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Montenegro's budget deficit was -3.53% in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 25.8% decrease from the previous year.
Montenegro's budget deficit peaked at 8.44% in 2007.
The lowest budget deficit in Montenegro was -11.01% in 2020.
Montenegro ranks 115th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Montenegro's budget deficit is projected to reach -3.53% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Montenegro in 2025 was -3.53%. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_montenegro_budget-deficit,
title = {Montenegro Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/montenegro/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}