Japan — Central government deficit (% of GDP)

% of GDP · Annual · 1885–2024 · 139 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.

Japan's central government deficit reading was −3.08% of GDP in 2024. The period change from −3.77% of GDP in 2023 was +0.69 percentage points. The latest reading was above the selected 10-year average of −4.97% of GDP.

-30-20-10010201885200020102024% of GDPSubscribe to view

Get the full series

  • Annual data, 1885–2024
  • Quarterly data, 2021–2026
  • All 2 sources, downloadable

Latest observations

2000–2024

PeriodValue
2024-3.08 % of GDP
2023-3.77 % of GDP
2022-5.42 % of GDP
2021-7.73 % of GDP
2020-10.5 % of GDP
15 earlier values
2019-3.73 % of GDP
2018-3.15 % of GDP
2017-3.51 % of GDP
2016-4.41 % of GDP
2015-4.42 % of GDP
2014-5.19 % of GDP
2013-6.74 % of GDP
2012-7.36 % of GDP
2011-8.24 % of GDP
2010-7.4 % of GDP
2009-8.73 % of GDP
2008-4.99 % of GDP
2007-2.55 % of GDP
2006-3.08 % of GDP
2005-3.85 % of GDP

Values before 2005, back to 2000, are on the chart — hover to read them.

Data release 2026_08_27_1049, published 30 Sept 2026.