Ljubljana, 07 January (STA) - Slovenia's national budget ran a deficit of around EUR 800 million or 1.2% of GDP last year, a five-year low, snow preliminary Finance Ministry data. When the budget was adopted in November 2023, a deficit of 3.3% of GDP was planned.
Budget revenue reached EUR 14.6 billion last year and expenditure EUR 15.4 billion, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
When adopted, the 2024 budget was planned to have EUR 14 billion in revenue, but the actual revenue exceeded the plan by around EUR 600 million.
The ministry attributes this to record high employment, higher wages, successful performance of companies and to additional revenue resulting from post-flood reconstruction legislation in the wake of the August 2023 floods.
Additional revenue to the tune of EUR 280 million came from a temporary rise in corporate income tax from 19% to 22% and from windfall profits of state state-owned companies.
Outlays of EUR 16.2 billion were planned for 2024, but only EUR 15.4 billion was actually spent, the ministry said.
Although spending on post-flood reconstruction was lower than planned, nearly EUR 500 million in aid was provided to the affected municipalities, companies and individuals. At the same time, EUR 530 million was channelled from the budget to the special post-flood reconstruction fund.
Following a record investment year in 2023, investment dynamics remained high, according to the ministry, which said that EUR 1.5 billion was investment, largely in railways and roads, as well as in sport, healthcare, scientific and defence infrastructure.
