United Kingdom — Central government deficit (% of GDP)

% of GDP · Annual · 1689–2025 · 337 observations

About this series

The central 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 central government deficit reading for the United Kingdom was −5.88% of GDP in 2025. The previous reading was −6.96% of GDP in 2024; the period change was +1.08 percentage points. Relative to the selected 10-year average of −6.46% of GDP, the latest reading was above.

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Get the full series

  • Annual data, 1689–2025
  • Quarterly data, 1955–2025
  • All 2 sources, downloadable

Latest observations

2000–2025

PeriodValue
2025-5.88 % of GDP
2024-6.96 % of GDP
2023-7.08 % of GDP
2022-5.72 % of GDP
2021-9.32 % of GDP
15 earlier values
2020-15 % of GDP
2019-3.57 % of GDP
2018-3.89 % of GDP
2017-3.44 % of GDP
2016-3.81 % of GDP
2015-5.62 % of GDP
2014-6.89 % of GDP
2013-6.6 % of GDP
2012-9.9 % of GDP
2011-9.63 % of GDP
2010-6.63 % of GDP
2009-12.6 % of GDP
2008-7.68 % of GDP
2007-5.23 % of GDP
2006-5.34 % of GDP

Values before 2006, back to 2000, are on the chart — hover to read them.

Data release 2026_08_27_1049, published 30 Sept 2026.