South Sudan Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
South Sudan's budget deficit was 6.64% in 2025, ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 43.2% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2011–2025.
Overview
South Sudan's budget deficit stood at 6.64% in 2025, a decline of +5.04% from 2024. The IMF projects 6.64% by 2025. South Sudan ranked 3rd globally.
South Sudan's budget deficit has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 15 years, with the latest value standing at 6.64% of its GDP. This represents a notable improvement from the all-time peak of 11.68% reached in 2024, although still a substantial figure compared to some of its peers, such as Norway, which ranked 12th in budget deficit globally in 2025 with a deficit of 12.74%. In contrast, South Sudan's budget deficit has also been marked by a trough of -19.84% in 2016, indicating a period of budget surplus. The country's budget deficit has been a recurring issue, with 2011 marking the earliest available figure at 4.57%. If South Sudan aims to stabilize its budget deficit, it will need to address its revenue streams and expenditure management, potentially through structural reforms and diversification of its economy. A significant increase in oil prices, the country's primary export, could also mitigate the budget deficit.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 2.76% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 2.53% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 2.61% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 3.28% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 4.13% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 6.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.64% | −5.04% | #3 |
| 2024 | 11.68% | +3.65% | #188 |
| 2023 | 8.04% | +3.56% | #185 |
| 2022 | 4.48% | +13.78% | #177 |
| 2021 | -9.30% | −3.80% | #18 |
| 2020 | -5.50% | −5.54% | #104 |
| 2019 | 0.04% | +1.10% | #137 |
| 2018 | -1.06% | −10.63% | #110 |
| 2017 | 9.57% | +29.40% | #187 |
| 2016 | -19.84% | −3.42% | #4 |
| 2015 | -16.42% | −7.35% | #5 |
| 2014 | -9.07% | −5.62% | #7 |
| 2013 | -3.45% | +11.36% | #72 |
| 2012 | -14.81% | −19.38% | #2 |
| 2011 | 4.57% | – | #174 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
South Sudan matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2024. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
South Sudan's budget deficit was 6.64% in 2025. Ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 43.2% decrease from the previous year.
South Sudan's budget deficit peaked at 11.68% in 2024.
The lowest budget deficit in South Sudan was -19.84% in 2016.
South Sudan ranks 3rd globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
South Sudan's budget deficit is projected to reach 6.64% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of South Sudan in 2025 was 6.64%. This ranks 3rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_south-sudan_budget-deficit,
title = {South Sudan Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/south-sudan/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}