Question 1

How big is Russia's budget deficit?

Accepted Answer

Russia's federal budget recorded a deficit of 5,186 billion roubles in January to September 2026, 2.2% of GDP, according to the Ministry of Finance's preliminary estimate of 9 October 2026 . A year earlier the deficit was 3,471 billion roubles. The ministry expects a deficit of about 3.2% of GDP for the full year, against 1.6% in the original budget law. It says the larger deficit is being financed mainly without extra borrowing on the government bond market. Revenue was 29,639 billion roubles, up 10%, and spending 34,825 billion roubles, up 14.5%.

Question 2

How much does Russia earn from oil and gas?

Accepted Answer

Russia's federal budget received 5,471 billion roubles in oil and gas revenue in January to September 2026, 17.2% less than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance . The ministry attributes the fall to a lower average dollar exchange rate and to a larger fuel price damper component as world prices of oil products rose faster. Oil and gas revenue was about 18% of total federal revenue. Under the 2027–2029 budget bill, the oil and gas share of revenue is not to exceed 17%, the finance minister said .

Question 3

How much VAT does Russia collect?

Accepted Answer

Russia's federal budget collected 13,467 billion roubles in value added tax on domestic production and imports in January to September 2026, 27.4% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance . VAT is the largest source of non-oil revenue, which totalled 24,168 billion roubles, up 18.8%. Revenue of the budget system as a whole, including regions, rose 13.1% for key non-oil items. The figures are nominal and preliminary; the ministry says final data take account of later accounting reports.

Question 4

How much does the Russian federal government spend?

Accepted Answer

Russia's federal budget spent 34,825 billion roubles in January to September 2026, 14.5% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance . The ministry's estimate for the full year is 48,527 billion roubles, above the 44,070 billion in the budget law. The ministry says spending may exceed the planned limit by the amount of extra non-oil revenue and up to 3 trillion roubles of other financing. The budget priorities named by the ministry include social obligations, defence and security, and national development goals.

Question 5

What is in Russia's 2027 budget?

Accepted Answer

Russia's federal budget bill for 2027–2029 is based on GDP growth of 1.4% in 2027 and an Urals oil price of US$53 a barrel, a Ministry of Finance official said on 12 October 2026 . The non-oil deficit is to fall to 5% of GDP, the lowest since 2008, and non-oil revenue to stay above 80% of the total. The bill was presented to the State Duma's budget committee by the finance minister on 12 October. It includes about 3.3 trillion roubles a year for programmes for children and families. The Duma can amend the bill before it is adopted.

Question 6

How much does Russia earn from selling state property?

Accepted Answer

Russia's federal budget has received about 400 billion roubles from the sale of state property in 2026, Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseev said on 13 October 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance . He linked the result in part to the involvement of PSB bank and to new powers allowing the ministry to sell some assets outside the forecast privatisation plan. The ministry said selling unused assets also reduces maintenance costs. The ministry is also working on rules for compulsory tender procedures for selling federal property.

Question 7

What is Russia's debt to GDP ratio?

Accepted Answer

16.6% of GDP : that is general government gross debt in Russia for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 19.2% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 7.4% of GDP. It is 49th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 46.9% of GDP. Worldwide: 173rd of 185.

Question 8

What is Russia's fiscal deficit?

Accepted Answer

In 2025, general government net lending or borrowing in Russia was -3.9% of GDP , according to the IMF (a deficit). Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 7.8% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at -5.9% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was -2.4% of GDP, and Russia placed 38th highest of 51. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 126th highest.

Question 9

How much does Russia's government take in?

Accepted Answer

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 35.3% of GDP . Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 37.5% of GDP; its low point was 2015, at 31.9% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 41.3% of GDP, and Russia placed 37th highest of 50. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 60th highest.

Question 10

How much does Russia's government spend?

Accepted Answer

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 39.1% of GDP . The peak was 39.2% of GDP in 2020 and the low 29.0% of GDP in 2006. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 43.3% of GDP, and Russia placed 34th highest of 50. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 55th highest.

Question 11

How much tax does Russia collect?

Accepted Answer

10.9% of GDP : that is central government tax revenue in Russia for 2024, according to the IMF. The peak was 16.6% of GDP in 2005 and the low 9.2% of GDP in 2016. It is 40th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.8% of GDP. Worldwide: 80th of 92.

Question 12

How much does Russia spend on its military?

Accepted Answer

In 2025, military spending in Russia was 7.5% of GDP , according to SIPRI. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 2.0% of GDP; Russia is 2nd highest of 46. Worldwide: 4th of 149.

Russia: public finances