Venezuela: public finances

What is the budget deficit of Venezuela?

Venezuela's general government deficit was 4.5% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2026), after 5.0% in 2024 and 8.8% in 2023.

The IMF figure is net lending or borrowing: revenue minus spending for all levels of government, as a share of GDP. A negative value is a deficit. The IMF does not publish a gross government debt series for Venezuela in this edition. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MPPEF) is the national body for fiscal statistics; the tables posted on its website run to 2009.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: General government net lending/borrowing, Venezuela

Where are Venezuela government spending figures published?

The Ministry of Popular Power for Economy and Finance (MPPEF) publishes fiscal statistics for the central government and the restricted public sector on its Fiscal Statistics pages, in summary and extended formats, monthly and quarterly. On 15 October 2026 the most recent year listed on these pages was 2009.

For more recent years, the IMF publishes an estimate of the general government balance in its World Economic Outlook: a deficit of 4.5% of GDP in 2025. The annual budget law is published in the Official Gazette, and the Comptroller General of the Republic audits public spending.

Official sources: MPPEF: Central government fiscal statistics, monthly summary · IMF DataMapper: General government net lending/borrowing, Venezuela

What is Venezuela's fiscal deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -4.5% of GDP, a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 4.1% of GDP; its low point was 2018, at -31.9% of GDP. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was -2.8% of GDP, and Venezuela placed 22nd highest of 32. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 138th highest.

How much does Venezuela's government take in?

In 2025, general government revenue in Venezuela was 16.5% of GDP, according to the IMF. The peak was 37.7% of GDP in 2006 and the low 10.4% of GDP in 2020. It is 28th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 24.9% of GDP. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 155th highest.

How much does Venezuela's government spend?

In 2025, general government spending in Venezuela was 21.1% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 16.5% of GDP (2021) to 52.7% of GDP (2014). It is 24th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 26.7% of GDP. Worldwide: 140th of 186.

How much does Venezuela spend on its military?

2.2% of GDP: that is military spending in Venezuela for 2017, according to SIPRI. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 1.1% of GDP, and Venezuela placed 4th highest of 24. Of 154 countries with 2017 data, 37th highest.