Greece is on track to maintain primary budget surpluses and continue reducing its public debt through the end of the decade, according to the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Monitor released Wednesday, October 15.
The IMF projects Greece’s primary surplus, which excludes interest payments, at 3.2% of GDP in 2025 and 2.3% in 2026. Including interest payments, the overall budget is expected to remain roughly balanced this year before posting a 0.8% deficit in 2026.
Public debt is forecast to fall from 154.8% of GDP in 2024 to 146.7% in 2025, and 141.9% in 2026, with a further drop to 130.2% by 2030, reflecting continued fiscal discipline and economic growth.
Public revenue is expected to rise slightly to 50% of GDP in 2026 before easing to 46.8% by 2030, while expenditure will peak at 50.8% in 2026 before declining to 48.2% by the decade’s end.
Globally, the IMF warns that public debt will surpass 100% of global GDP by 2029, its highest level since 1948, citing post-pandemic spending pressures and growing fiscal vulnerabilities.
Source: Ekathimerini.
