Selection

Select here what should be displayed in the chart and in the table.

This table includes additional information to the above visualized indicators, i.e. a short definition of this indicator and a description of the politically determined target values as well as explaining the political intention behind selecting this indicator.

Definition

The indicators 8.2.a and 8.2.b show the financial balance of general government (deficit or surplus) and the structural financial balance as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices. The public financial balance is calculated as government revenue minus government expenditure, measured on a national accounts basis. The annual structural balance refers to the part of the financial balance that is not attributable to cyclical fluctuations and temporary effects. A negative financial balance is known as a deficit; a positive as a surplus.

Target and intention

Sound public finances are an essential element of a sustainable fiscal policy. A policy that relies too heavily on borrowing to fund current public expenditure and then passes this debt on to future generations is simply not sustainable.
According to the convergence criteria for the European Union, known as the Maastricht criteria, the annual government deficit should be less than 3 % of GDP. The structural deficit must not exceed 0.5 % of GDP. These are the stipulations of the European Stability and Growth Pact. The guiding principle of the structurally balanced budget has also been enshrined in Germany’s Basic Law since 2009 (Article 109, referred to as the debt brake).

Data status

The data published in the indicator report 2022 is as of 31 October 2022. The data shown on this platform was last updated in January 2025.