Government budget and revenue in Santa Cruz, Argentina: official figures
The provincial government of Santa Cruz took in 2.33 trillion pesos and spent 2.48 trillion pesos in 2025 (provisional figures for the non-financial public administration). Revenue came to about 6,914,195 pesos per resident (2022 census population), 3rd highest of the 23 jurisdictions with data.
Does Santa Cruz have a budget deficit?
Santa Cruz ended 2025 with a deficit of 147.6 billion pesos, 6.3% of revenue (3rd weakest result of the 23 jurisdictions with data); before interest payments its primary result was a deficit of 145.9 billion pesos. All provinces and Buenos Aires City together had a deficit of 2.78 trillion pesos.
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyWhere does Santa Cruz's money come from?
Taxes the province collects itself brought in 376.0 billion pesos in 2025, 16.1% of total revenue, 9th lowest of the 23 jurisdictions with data. National taxes shared with the province brought in 907.9 billion pesos, 38.9% of revenue.
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyHow much coparticipacion does Santa Cruz receive?
Of the shared national taxes, the net federal revenue-sharing distribution (coparticipacion) gave Santa Cruz 769.9 billion pesos in 2025, 1.7% of the 45.53 trillion pesos distributed to all provinces and Buenos Aires City, and the Education Financing Law (26,075) a further 64.7 billion pesos.
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyHow much does Santa Cruz spend on public sector salaries?
Staff pay took 1.23 trillion pesos, 49.8% of all spending in 2025, 9th highest of the 23 jurisdictions with data. Social security benefits (pensions) paid by the provincial government cost 681.3 billion pesos, 27.5% of spending.
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyHow much does Santa Cruz invest in public works?
Capital spending was 26.7 billion pesos in 2025, including 4.4 billion pesos of direct investment in works and equipment (0.2% of total spending, the lowest of the 23 jurisdictions with data). Interest and other property costs were 1.7 billion pesos.
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyHow much does Santa Cruz earn from royalties?
Royalties (regalias) brought Santa Cruz 404.0 billion pesos in 2025, 17.3% of its revenue; 3rd largest of the 23 jurisdictions with data in royalty income.
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyWhat is the latest budget result for Santa Cruz?
In the first half of 2026 Santa Cruz took in 1.37 trillion pesos and spent 1.51 trillion pesos, a deficit of 141.4 billion pesos (provisional; all provinces and Buenos Aires City: deficit of 80.0 billion pesos).
Source: Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales) · saved copyHow Santa Cruz compares with other provinces
Provincial government revenue per resident (2025)
Santa Cruz ranks 3 of 23, highest first. 2025 revenue divided by the 2022 census population. La Pampa is not included in the national consolidation.
| Rank | Region | Provincial government revenue per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neuquen | 10,413,779 pesos |
| 2 | Tierra del Fuego | 7,606,389 pesos |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | 6,914,195 pesos |
| 4 | Chubut | 4,629,852 pesos |
| 5 | Formosa | 4,578,379 pesos |
| 6 | Catamarca | 4,507,476 pesos |
| 7 | Buenos Aires City | 4,339,482 pesos |
Own-source taxes as a share of revenue (2025)
Santa Cruz ranks 15 of 23, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Own-source taxes as a share of revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Chubut | 21.6% |
| 13 | Entre Rios | 20.3% |
| 14 | San Luis | 19.2% |
| 15 | Santa Cruz | 16.1% |
| 16 | San Juan | 12.6% |
| 17 | Jujuy | 12.4% |
| 18 | Corrientes | 12.2% |
Financial result as a share of revenue (surplus positive) (2025)
Santa Cruz ranks 21 of 23, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Financial result as a share of revenue (surplus positive) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Corrientes | -5.2% |
| 18 | Mendoza | -5.7% |
| 19 | Chaco | -5.8% |
| 20 | Buenos Aires Province | -5.9% |
| 21 | Santa Cruz | -6.3% |
| 22 | Chubut | -8.2% |
| 23 | Tierra del Fuego | -16.3% |
Staff pay as a share of spending (2025)
Santa Cruz ranks 9 of 23, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Staff pay as a share of spending |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | San Juan | 51.3% |
| 7 | Neuquen | 50.4% |
| 8 | La Rioja | 50.3% |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | 49.8% |
| 10 | Jujuy | 49.7% |
| 11 | Catamarca | 49.5% |
| 12 | Chaco | 47.1% |
More on Santa Cruz: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Argentina
Sources
- Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales): Ejecucion presupuestaria provisoria, consolidado Administracion Publica No Financiera, IV trimestre 2025 (full year 2025, millions of pesos, by province), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b75e07833b28…)
- Ministerio de Economia, Secretaria de Hacienda: Subsecretaria de Coordinacion Fiscal Provincial (Direccion Nacional de Asuntos Provinciales): Ejecucion presupuestaria provisoria, consolidado Administracion Publica No Financiera, II trimestre 2026 (January-June 2026, millions of pesos, by province), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 071e891773b5…)
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