United Kingdom Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
United Kingdom's budget deficit was -4.34% in 2025, ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 24.6% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 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.
The United Kingdom’s budget deficit has narrowed to –4.34 % of GDP in 2025, ranking it 133rd globally, and represents a modest improvement from the historic low of –13.17 % recorded in 2020, the all‑time trough for the 46‑year series. After reaching an all‑time peak of 1.40 % in 2000, the deficit widened sharply during the global financial crisis and the COVID‑19 pandemic before the recent contraction. Compared with its nearest peers, the United Kingdom’s deficit is slightly larger than Mexico’s –4.32 % and marginally smaller than Iran’s –4.43 %, reflecting a similar fiscal position among middle‑income economies despite divergent economic structures. The downward trajectory since the 2020 trough suggests that disciplined fiscal consolidation and stronger growth could keep the deficit hovering near the –4 % range, although any resurgence of public spending or a slowdown in revenue growth could reverse this trend.
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 |
Detected Pattern
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
United Kingdom's budget deficit was -4.34% in 2025. Ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 24.6% increase from the previous year.
United Kingdom's budget deficit peaked at 1.40% in 2000.
The lowest budget deficit in United Kingdom was -13.17% in 2020.
United Kingdom ranks 133rd globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
United Kingdom's budget deficit is projected to reach -4.34% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of United Kingdom in 2025 was -4.34%. This ranks 133rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_budget-deficit,
title = {United Kingdom Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}