Sweden Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Sweden's budget deficit was -1.37% in 2025, ranked 51st globally. This represents a 20.2% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Sweden's budget deficit stood at -1.37% in 2025, a rise of +0.35% from 2024. The IMF projects -1.37% by 2025. Sweden ranked 51st globally.
Sweden’s budget deficit has narrowed to –1.37 percent of GDP in 2025, placing it 51st globally according to the IMF World Economic Outlook, and marking a modest improvement from the –5.35 percent recorded in 1980. The most expansive deficit in the series occurred in 1990, when the shortfall reached 3.70 percent of GDP, while the deepest contraction was recorded in 1993 at –10.88 percent, reflecting the fiscal tightening that followed the early‑1990s recession. Over the 46‑year coverage, Sweden’s fiscal position has oscillated but remains tighter than several peers with comparable rankings, such as Japan at –1.26 percent and Estonia at –1.50 percent in the same year. The recent modest deficit suggests that fiscal consolidation measures and a resilient export sector are bearing fruit, yet any slowdown in global demand or a resurgence of domestic spending pressures could reverse the current trajectory, prompting a reassessment of fiscal policy.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 0.00% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 0.00% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -0.23% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -0.66% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -1.75% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -1.37% | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.37% | +0.35% | #51 |
| 2024 | -1.72% | −1.09% | #118 |
| 2023 | -0.63% | −1.63% | #145 |
| 2022 | 1.00% | +1.15% | #163 |
| 2021 | -0.15% | +3.03% | #165 |
| 2020 | -3.18% | −3.62% | #142 |
| 2019 | 0.44% | −0.23% | #147 |
| 2018 | 0.67% | −0.62% | #143 |
| 2017 | 1.29% | +0.43% | #164 |
| 2016 | 0.86% | +1.13% | #166 |
| 2015 | -0.27% | +1.57% | #160 |
| 2014 | -1.84% | −0.21% | #115 |
| 2013 | -1.63% | −0.44% | #111 |
| 2012 | -1.19% | −0.78% | #121 |
| 2011 | -0.41% | −0.26% | #138 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden's budget deficit was -1.37% in 2025. Ranked 51st globally. This represents a 20.2% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's budget deficit peaked at 3.70% in 1990.
The lowest budget deficit in Sweden was -10.88% in 1993.
Sweden ranks 51st globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Sweden's budget deficit is projected to reach -1.37% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Sweden in 2025 was -1.37%. This ranks 51st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_budget-deficit,
title = {Sweden Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}