Government budget and revenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil: official figures
The Sao Paulo state government took in R$358.9 billion in 2025, R$7,789 per resident, 11th highest of 27 federation units per person (all 27 combined: R$6,759). Revenue was up 1.4% on 2024 (R$354.0 billion), before adjusting for inflation (all 27 combined: up 7.5%).
Where does the Sao Paulo state budget come from?
Taxes, fees and improvement levies brought in R$268.4 billion or 75% of Sao Paulo's 2025 revenue, and borrowing (credit operations) added R$3.18 billion. The budget had forecast revenue of R$364.1 billion; 99% of it was realised.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does the Sao Paulo state government spend?
The Sao Paulo state government committed R$371.2 billion of spending in 2025, R$8,055 per resident, 10th highest of 27 (all 27 combined: R$6,789). That was up 7.4% on 2024 and R$12.2 billion more than the revenue it took in.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does Sao Paulo spend on public servants?
Payroll and social charges for all branches took R$143.6 billion in 2025, 38.7% of Sao Paulo's committed spending, 2nd lowest share of 27 (all 27 combined: 48.7%); the bill was up 6.9% on 2024.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyIs Sao Paulo within the legal limit on personnel spending?
Under the Fiscal Responsibility Law, personnel spending by the Sao Paulo executive branch was 41.29% of adjusted net current revenue in the 12 months to December 2025 (R$109.7 billion), against a ceiling of 49.00%, so below the prudential limit of 46.55%. That is 13th highest of 27 federation units.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much debt does Sao Paulo have?
Sao Paulo's net consolidated debt was R$330.5 billion at the end of 2025, 124.2% of net current revenue, 4th highest of 27 federation units (limit set by Senate resolution, as recorded in the report: R$452.0 billion). A year earlier it was R$317.7 billion, or 126.5%.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyWhat is the debt per person in Sao Paulo?
Gross consolidated debt of the Sao Paulo state government stood at R$382.6 billion on 31 December 2025 (up 2.8% in the year). Net of cash and other financial assets that is R$7,171 per resident, 4th highest of 27 (all 27 combined: R$4,548).
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does Sao Paulo spend on debt service?
The Sao Paulo state government paid R$15.4 billion in interest and R$12.4 billion in debt repayments in 2025, together 10.4% of its net current revenue (3rd highest of 27; all 27 combined: 5.7%).
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much ICMS does Sao Paulo collect?
Sao Paulo collected R$238.1 billion in ICMS, the state tax on goods and services, in 2025, R$5,166 per resident, 5th highest of 27 (all 27 combined: R$4,043). Collections were up 6.4% on 2024, before inflation (all 27 combined: up 6.8%).
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow important is ICMS to the Sao Paulo budget?
ICMS made up 60.8% of Sao Paulo's current revenue in 2025, the highest share of 27 (all 27 combined: 48.9%), counted before the shares passed on to municipalities and to the FUNDEB education fund. The vehicle tax (IPVA) raised R$31.9 billion.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does Sao Paulo depend on federal transfers?
The federal transfer to states (Fundo de Participacao dos Estados, FPE) gave Sao Paulo R$2.20 billion in 2025, equal to 0.8% of its net current revenue of R$266.2 billion, the lowest share of 27 (all 27 combined: 16.3%).
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does Sao Paulo spend on health and education?
Health took 11.9% of Sao Paulo's committed spending in 2025 (R$44.2 billion), 4th lowest share of 27 (all 27 combined: 14.3%), and education 19.3% (R$71.6 billion), 5th highest share of 27 (all 27 combined: 16.8%).
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does Sao Paulo spend on police and pensions?
Public security spending in Sao Paulo was R$18.4 billion in 2025, R$399 per resident, 2nd lowest of 27 (all 27 combined: R$657). Pensions and retirement benefits (the social security function) took 8.3% of spending (all 27 combined: 16.0%).
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow much does Sao Paulo invest in public works?
The Sao Paulo state government committed R$16.8 billion to investment (public works and equipment) in 2025, 4.5% of its spending, 3rd lowest share of 27 (all 27 combined: 8.2%); in 2024 it committed R$18.3 billion.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyDoes Sao Paulo have a budget surplus or deficit?
Sao Paulo's primary result for 2025, excluding the civil-service pension scheme, was a surplus of R$8.49 billion (+3.2% of net current revenue, 5th highest of 27). The budget guidelines law had set a target of a surplus of R$5.67 billion, so the result was better than the target.
Source: Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI · saved copyHow Sao Paulo compares with other states
State government revenue per person (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 11 of 27, highest first. Revenue realised in 2025, excluding intra-budget transactions, divided by the IBGE population estimate for 1 July 2025
| Rank | Region | State government revenue per person |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Mato Grosso do Sul | R$8,375 |
| 9 | Amazonas | R$8,311 |
| 10 | Sergipe | R$7,839 |
| 11 | Sao Paulo | R$7,789 |
| 12 | Espirito Santo | R$7,632 |
| 13 | Piaui | R$6,769 |
| 14 | Santa Catarina | R$6,597 |
State government spending per person (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 10 of 27, highest first. Expenditure committed (empenhada) in 2025, excluding intra-budget transactions, per resident
| Rank | Region | State government spending per person |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Rondonia | R$9,428 |
| 8 | Mato Grosso do Sul | R$8,384 |
| 9 | Amazonas | R$8,218 |
| 10 | Sao Paulo | R$8,055 |
| 11 | Sergipe | R$7,688 |
| 12 | Espirito Santo | R$7,396 |
| 13 | Goias | R$7,138 |
ICMS (state sales tax) collected per person (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 5 of 27, highest first. ICMS revenue over the 12 months to December 2025, before the shares passed to municipalities and FUNDEB
| Rank | Region | ICMS (state sales tax) collected per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mato Grosso do Sul | R$6,025 |
| 3 | Santa Catarina | R$5,516 |
| 4 | Espirito Santo | R$5,480 |
| 5 | Sao Paulo | R$5,166 |
| 6 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$4,780 |
| 7 | Rondonia | R$4,638 |
| 8 | Parana | R$4,490 |
Change in ICMS revenue, 2024 to 2025 (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 16 of 27, highest first. Nominal change, not adjusted for inflation
| Rank | Region | Change in ICMS revenue, 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Minas Gerais | +7.6% |
| 14 | Distrito Federal | +7.5% |
| 15 | Roraima | +6.6% |
| 16 | Sao Paulo | +6.4% |
| 17 | Bahia | +6.3% |
| 18 | Ceara | +6.2% |
| 19 | Alagoas | +6.1% |
Executive-branch personnel spending as a share of net current revenue (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 13 of 27, highest first. Total personnel spending of the executive branch over the 12 months to December 2025, as a share of adjusted net current revenue; the legal ceiling for each state is given in its fact
| Rank | Region | Executive-branch personnel spending as a share of net current revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Parana | 42.5% |
| 11 | Distrito Federal | 41.5% |
| 12 | Pernambuco | 41.3% |
| 13 | Sao Paulo | 41.3% |
| 14 | Sergipe | 41.2% |
| 15 | Ceara | 40.9% |
| 16 | Bahia | 40.4% |
Payroll and social charges as a share of state spending (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 26 of 27, highest first. Personnel and social charges, all branches, as a share of committed expenditure
| Rank | Region | Payroll and social charges as a share of state spending |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Mato Grosso | 46.7% |
| 22 | Alagoas | 43.8% |
| 23 | Maranhao | 43.6% |
| 24 | Espirito Santo | 41.7% |
| 25 | Piaui | 40.6% |
| 26 | Sao Paulo | 38.7% |
| 27 | Amazonas | 36.9% |
Net consolidated debt as a share of net current revenue (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 4 of 27, highest first. At 31 December 2025. A negative value means cash and financial assets exceeded gross debt
| Rank | Region | Net consolidated debt as a share of net current revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rio de Janeiro | 217.2% |
| 2 | Rio Grande do Sul | 174.0% |
| 3 | Minas Gerais | 167.5% |
| 4 | Sao Paulo | 124.2% |
| 5 | Alagoas | 71.5% |
| 6 | Piaui | 71.3% |
| 7 | Rio Grande do Norte | 48.5% |
Net consolidated debt per person (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 4 of 27, highest first. At 31 December 2025, divided by the IBGE population estimate for 1 July 2025
| Rank | Region | Net consolidated debt per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rio de Janeiro | R$12,681 |
| 2 | Rio Grande do Sul | R$10,093 |
| 3 | Minas Gerais | R$8,746 |
| 4 | Sao Paulo | R$7,171 |
| 5 | Alagoas | R$4,207 |
| 6 | Piaui | R$3,945 |
| 7 | Rio Grande do Norte | R$2,741 |
Federal FPE transfer as a share of net current revenue (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 27 of 27, highest first. Cota-parte do Fundo de Participacao dos Estados over the 12 months to December 2025
| Rank | Region | Federal FPE transfer as a share of net current revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Parana | 8.2% |
| 22 | Minas Gerais | 8.2% |
| 23 | Rio Grande do Sul | 6.8% |
| 24 | Santa Catarina | 5.5% |
| 25 | Distrito Federal | 3.6% |
| 26 | Rio de Janeiro | 3.4% |
| 27 | Sao Paulo | 0.8% |
Health as a share of state spending (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 24 of 27, highest first. Committed expenditure on the health function as a share of all committed expenditure
| Rank | Region | Health as a share of state spending |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Para | 13.4% |
| 22 | Minas Gerais | 13.1% |
| 23 | Parana | 13.0% |
| 24 | Sao Paulo | 11.9% |
| 25 | Goias | 11.8% |
| 26 | Mato Grosso do Sul | 11.5% |
| 27 | Rio de Janeiro | 10.3% |
Education as a share of state spending (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 5 of 27, highest first. Committed expenditure on the education function as a share of all committed expenditure
| Rank | Region | Education as a share of state spending |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Parana | 22.1% |
| 3 | Amapa | 19.9% |
| 4 | Distrito Federal | 19.5% |
| 5 | Sao Paulo | 19.3% |
| 6 | Para | 18.3% |
| 7 | Maranhao | 18.1% |
| 8 | Amazonas | 17.7% |
State spending on public security per person (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 26 of 27, highest first. Committed expenditure on the public security function (police, civil defence) per resident
| Rank | Region | State spending on public security per person |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Distrito Federal | R$570 |
| 22 | Rio Grande do Norte | R$568 |
| 23 | Bahia | R$513 |
| 24 | Santa Catarina | R$498 |
| 25 | Pernambuco | R$423 |
| 26 | Sao Paulo | R$399 |
| 27 | Maranhao | R$350 |
Investment as a share of state spending (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 25 of 27, highest first. Capital investment (works and equipment) as a share of committed expenditure
| Rank | Region | Investment as a share of state spending |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Roraima | 6.1% |
| 22 | Tocantins | 5.8% |
| 23 | Rio de Janeiro | 5.7% |
| 24 | Distrito Federal | 5.6% |
| 25 | Sao Paulo | 4.5% |
| 26 | Amazonas | 4.0% |
| 27 | Rio Grande do Norte | 3.8% |
Primary result as a share of net current revenue (2025)
Sao Paulo ranks 5 of 27, highest first. Primary result excluding the pension scheme (RPPS), above the line; positive is a surplus
| Rank | Region | Primary result as a share of net current revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Minas Gerais | +4.3% |
| 3 | Alagoas | +4.2% |
| 4 | Rio Grande do Norte | +3.9% |
| 5 | Sao Paulo | +3.2% |
| 6 | Maranhao | +2.8% |
| 7 | Acre | +2.6% |
| 8 | Roraima | +1.9% |
More on Sao Paulo: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Brazil
Sources
- Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI: RGF 2025, 3rd quadrimester, executive branch, Annex 01: personnel spending against the Fiscal Responsibility Law limits. Bundle of the API responses for the 27 federation units (one JSON file per IBGE state code, with the request URLs in requests.txt), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7d8f1d8fd7ea…)
- Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI: RGF 2025, 3rd quadrimester, Annex 02: consolidated debt (DC), net consolidated debt (DCL) and DCL as a share of net current revenue. Bundle of the API responses for the 27 federation units (one JSON file per IBGE state code, with the request URLs in requests.txt), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 892eae460b6e…)
- Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI: RREO 2025, 6th bimester (January-December), Annex 01: budget balance, revenue realised and expenditure committed, liquidated and paid by economic category. Bundle of the API responses for the 27 federation units (one JSON file per IBGE state code, with the request URLs in requests.txt), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 55a430977b02…)
- Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI: RREO 2025, 6th bimester, Annex 02: expenditure by function and subfunction. Bundle of the API responses for the 27 federation units (one JSON file per IBGE state code, with the request URLs in requests.txt), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0333d62c8b7d…)
- Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI: RREO 2025, 6th bimester, Annex 03: net current revenue (RCL), including ICMS, IPVA and the FPE transfer, last 12 months. Bundle of the API responses for the 27 federation units (one JSON file per IBGE state code, with the request URLs in requests.txt), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3e095292a3e1…)
- Secretaria do Tesouro Nacional (National Treasury), SICONFI: RREO 2025, 6th bimester, Annex 06: primary and nominal results and the targets set in the budget guidelines law (LDO). Bundle of the API responses for the 27 federation units (one JSON file per IBGE state code, with the request URLs in requests.txt), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2b7c399333d6…)
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