North Macedonia Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
North Macedonia's budget deficit was -5.04% in 2025, ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 13.3% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
North Macedonia's budget deficit stood at -5.04% in 2025, a decline of +0.59% from 2024. The IMF projects -5.04% by 2025. North Macedonia ranked 142nd globally.
North Macedonia’s general government budget deficit has widened markedly since the late 1990s, moving from a modest -0.35 percent of GDP in 1997 to a pronounced -5.04 percent in 2025, ranking it 142nd globally. The deficit peaked at 2.38 percent of GDP in 2000, a brief surplus that preceded a long‑term fiscal deterioration culminating in an all‑time trough of -8.05 percent in 2020, a shock largely driven by the pandemic‑related slowdown and heightened social spending. Over the 29‑year series, the deficit has remained negative for most of the period, reflecting structural imbalances in revenue collection and public expenditure. Compared with peers of similar ranking, North Macedonia’s deficit is slightly tighter than Vanuatu’s -4.98 percent and Burundi’s -5.14 percent, but still above the Slovak Republic’s -5.20 percent, underscoring a modestly better fiscal position within this group. If revenue reforms and expenditure controls accelerate, the deficit could stabilize or modestly improve, shifting the trajectory away from the post‑pandemic trough.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -2.53% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -3.03% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -3.53% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -3.97% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -4.47% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -5.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | -5.04% | −0.59% | #142 |
| 2024 | -4.45% | +0.17% | #56 |
| 2023 | -4.61% | +0.62% | #53 |
| 2022 | -5.23% | +0.09% | #53 |
| 2021 | -5.32% | +2.73% | #70 |
| 2020 | -8.05% | −6.08% | #63 |
| 2019 | -1.97% | −0.21% | #91 |
| 2018 | -1.76% | +0.98% | #93 |
| 2017 | -2.73% | −0.03% | #80 |
| 2016 | -2.70% | +0.77% | #86 |
| 2015 | -3.48% | +0.72% | #79 |
| 2014 | -4.20% | −0.36% | #54 |
| 2013 | -3.84% | −0.03% | #61 |
| 2012 | -3.81% | −1.33% | #61 |
| 2011 | -2.47% | −0.06% | #100 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
North Macedonia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
North Macedonia's budget deficit was -5.04% in 2025. Ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 13.3% decrease from the previous year.
North Macedonia's budget deficit peaked at 2.38% in 2000.
The lowest budget deficit in North Macedonia was -8.05% in 2020.
North Macedonia ranks 142nd globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
North Macedonia's budget deficit is projected to reach -5.04% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of North Macedonia in 2025 was -5.04%. This ranks 142nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_north-macedonia_budget-deficit,
title = {North Macedonia Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/north-macedonia/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}