New Zealand Government Budget
-3.9%▼ −0.65 pt
Dec 2025 · Annual
The budget balance of New Zealand was minus 3.86 percent of GDP in 2025, a widening from the deficit of 3.21 percent recorded a year earlier. The reading remains well above the all-time low of minus 6.95 percent of GDP set in 1985, and far below the all-time high of 5.13 percent reached in 2005.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -3.9% | -3.2% | 5.1%Dec 2005 | -7.0%Dec 1985 | 1985 – 2025 | Annual |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Debt to GDP | 54.7% | 51.4% | 68.5% | 16.3% | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| Tax Revenue to GDP | 29.5% | 28.1% | 33.2% | 24.5% | Dec 2024 | Annual |
About this series
Government Budget in New Zealand averaged -0.5% from 1985 until 2025, reaching an all-time high of 5.1% in Dec 2005 and a record low of -7.0% in Dec 1985. The series is reported yearly with history from 1985.
This indicator measures the government budget balance as a percentage of GDP, reflecting the difference between public revenue and expenditure. Values are expressed in percent of GDP and reported on an annual basis. The series spans from 1985 to 2025. Negative readings denote a fiscal deficit, while positive readings denote a surplus.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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