The Greek state budget recorded a primary surplus of 4.96 billion euros in 2019, up from a budget target for a surplus of 4.4 billion and a primary surplus of 91 million euros in the same period in 2018, the finance ministry said in a report on Wednesday.
The report, based on provisional budget execution data on an amended cash basis, showed that the state budget recorded a deficit of 225 million euros in the January-December 2019 period, from a budget target for a shortfall of 839 million and a deficit of 4.58 billion in the same period in 2018. Net revenue was 55.019 billion euros, down 7.0 million from budget targets, with regular budget revenue totaling 60.065 billion euros, up 7.0 million from targets. Tax returns totaled 5.046 billion euros, up 14 million from targets. Public Investment Programme revenue totaled 2.772 billion euros, down 777 million from targets.
State budget spending amounted to 55.244 billion euros in 2019, down 620 million from targets and down 1.128 billion euros compared with 2018.
In December, budget revenue was 6.59 billion euros, down 387 million from monthly targets, while regular budget revenue was 7.365 billion euros, down 339 million from targets. Public Investment Programme revenue was 847 million euros, down 999 million from monthly targets. Tax returns totaled 775 million euros, up 48 million from monthly targets.
In December, state budget spending was 8.736 billion euros, up 1.264 billion from monthly targets.
Thodoros Skylakakis, Deputy Finance Minister responsible for Fiscal Policy, commenting on the budget execution figures, said: “The provisional budget execution figures for 2019 showed that budget targets for the primary surplus have been achieved”.
