Pakistan Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Pakistan's budget deficit was -5.34% in 2025, ranked 148th globally. This represents a 21.6% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1993–2025.
Overview
Pakistan's budget deficit stood at -5.34% in 2025, a rise of +1.47% from 2024. The IMF projects -5.34% by 2025. Pakistan ranked 148th globally.
Pakistan's budget deficit has exhibited volatility over the past three decades, with the country's fiscal stance oscillating between significant deficits and modest surpluses. The latest available data from the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook indicates that Pakistan's budget deficit stands at -5.33% of GDP, ranking #148 globally. This is a notable improvement from the all-time peak of -0.12% in 2003, but still lags behind its 2022 trough of -7.84%. For context, Mozambique, a peer country, has a comparable budget deficit of -5.32%. The persistent budget deficit is a concern for Pakistan's economic stability, as it can lead to increased borrowing requirements, potentially exacerbating debt sustainability issues. A sustained fiscal consolidation effort is necessary to reverse this trend, and a reduction in subsidies and improvements in tax collection efficiency could help achieve this goal.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -2.83% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -3.08% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -3.28% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -3.85% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -4.13% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -5.34% | - | - |
| 2025 | -5.34% | +1.47% | #148 |
| 2024 | -6.81% | +0.95% | #29 |
| 2023 | -7.76% | +0.08% | #13 |
| 2022 | -7.84% | −1.80% | #18 |
| 2021 | -6.04% | +0.99% | #54 |
| 2020 | -7.03% | +0.76% | #83 |
| 2019 | -7.79% | −2.12% | #12 |
| 2018 | -5.67% | −0.50% | #24 |
| 2017 | -5.17% | −1.25% | #35 |
| 2016 | -3.92% | +0.82% | #62 |
| 2015 | -4.74% | −0.37% | #53 |
| 2014 | -4.37% | +3.11% | #49 |
| 2013 | -7.48% | +0.26% | #16 |
| 2012 | -7.74% | −1.51% | #14 |
| 2011 | -6.23% | −0.82% | #26 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Pakistan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Pakistan's budget deficit was -5.34% in 2025. Ranked 148th globally. This represents a 21.6% increase from the previous year.
Pakistan's budget deficit peaked at -0.12% in 2003.
The lowest budget deficit in Pakistan was -7.84% in 2022.
Pakistan ranks 148th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Pakistan's budget deficit is projected to reach -5.34% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Pakistan in 2025 was -5.34%. This ranks 148th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_pakistan_budget-deficit,
title = {Pakistan Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/pakistan/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}