Australia — General government deficit (% of GDP)

% of GDP · Annual · 1850–2030 · 129 observations

About this series

The general government deficit series records the period's fiscal balance under the source's accounting and sign convention. A deficit indicates a shortfall; the series is a flow, not a debt stock. This series expresses that measure as a percentage of GDP for the matching period.

The general government deficit reading for Australia was −2.78% of GDP in 2025. The previous reading was −2.22% of GDP in 2024; the period change was −0.56 percentage points. Relative to the selected 10-year average of −2.66% of GDP, the latest reading was below.

-15-10-505185020102030% of GDPSubscribe to view

Get the full series

  • Annual data, 1850–2030
  • Quarterly data, 1989–2026
  • All 8 sources, downloadable

Latest observations

2005–2030

PeriodValue
2030-1.68 % of GDP
2029-1.76 % of GDP
2028-1.93 % of GDP
2027-2.08 % of GDP
2026-2.51 % of GDP
15 earlier values
2025-2.78 % of GDP
2024-2.22 % of GDP
2023-0.71 % of GDP
2022-1.42 % of GDP
2021-3.98 % of GDP
2020-11.5 % of GDP
2019-1.2 % of GDP
2018-0.56 % of GDP
2017-0.63 % of GDP
2016-1.56 % of GDP
2015-1.02 % of GDP
2014-1.76 % of GDP
2013-1.85 % of GDP
2012-3.04 % of GDP
2011-3.9 % of GDP

Values before 2011, back to 2005, are on the chart — hover to read them.

Data release 2026_08_27_1049, published 30 Sept 2026.