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United Kingdom Budget Deficit

General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP  GGXCNL_NGDP

-4.34% +1.41% (+24.6%)
Year 2025 Rank #133 Global Peak 1.40% (2000) Source IMF WEO

United Kingdom Budget Deficit (1980–2025)

Overview

United Kingdom's budget deficit stood at -4.34% in 2025, a rise of +1.41% from 2024. The IMF projects -4.34% by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 133rd globally.

Data & projection

Year Budget Deficit YoY change Rank
2030* IMF -2.24% - -
2029* IMF -2.52% - -
2028* IMF -2.74% - -
2027* IMF -2.98% - -
2026* IMF -3.61% - -
2025* IMF -4.34% - -
2025 -4.34% +1.41% #133
2024 -5.75% +0.31% #41
2023 -6.05% −1.50% #26
2022 -4.56% +3.17% #62
2021 -7.73% +5.45% #29
2020 -13.17% −10.70% #15
2019 -2.47% −0.20% #77
2018 -2.27% +0.22% #80
2017 -2.49% +0.82% #92
2016 -3.31% +1.28% #72
2015 -4.59% +0.94% #55
2014 -5.53% −0.19% #33
2013 -5.34% +2.11% #31
2012 -7.45% −0.07% #17
2011 -7.38% +1.84% #17
Show all years (1980-2025)
* IMF World Economic Outlook projection

Detected Pattern

Export Boom Cycle
Current account surplus with strong export growth (>15% YoY), reserve accumulation, and moderate GDP growth. Typical of commodity exporters during price surges.
Reserves YoY +24.7% GDP growth 3.6% C/A balance 0.7%
Occurred 768 times, 546 successful
Reserves YoY
+25.6%
GDP growth
4.0%
C/A balance
14.5%
Reserves YoY
+14.6%
GDP growth
3.7%
C/A balance
2.9%
Reserves YoY
+12.8%
GDP growth
43.8%
C/A balance
16.4%
Reserves YoY
+12.6%
GDP growth
6.0%
C/A balance
0.5%
Reserves YoY
+38.3%
GDP growth
5.0%
C/A balance
1.2%
Reserves YoY
+18.0%
GDP growth
2.9%
C/A balance
3.9%

Analysis

United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Kingdom's budget deficit?

United Kingdom's budget deficit was -4.34% in 2025. Ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 24.6% increase from the previous year.

What was the highest budget deficit in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom's budget deficit peaked at 1.40% in 2000.

What was the lowest budget deficit in United Kingdom?

The lowest budget deficit in United Kingdom was -13.17% in 2020.

How does United Kingdom rank in budget deficit?

United Kingdom ranks 133rd globally in budget deficit as of 2025.

What is the World Bank indicator code for budget deficit?

The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.

What is the projected budget deficit of United Kingdom in 2025?

United Kingdom's budget deficit is projected to reach -4.34% by 2025 based on IMF projection.

What is the budget deficit of United Kingdom in 2025?

The budget deficit of United Kingdom in 2025 was -4.34%. This ranks 133rd in the world.

Cite this page

APA
United Kingdom Budget Deficit. HistorySaid. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/budget-deficit
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_budget-deficit, title = {United Kingdom Budget Deficit}, url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/budget-deficit}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }