Skip to content
ENExplore Calculators

Fiscal Deficit Percentage Calculator

Work out fiscal deficit percentage instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Fiscal Deficit Percentage Calculator

Fiscal deficit is total expenditure less revenue receipts and non-debt capital receipts — in other words, the government's total borrowing requirement. Expressing it against GDP is the standard measure because it indicates the sustainability of that borrowing.

Formulas

Fiscal deficit

Fiscal deficit = Total expenditure - Revenue receipts - Non-debt capital receipts

As % of GDP

Ratio % = Fiscal deficit / GDP x 100

Worked example

With the default values below, Fiscal Deficit Percentage Calculator returns Fiscal deficit as % of GDP of 5.492%. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Total government expenditure
48,000,000,000,000
Revenue receipts (tax and non-tax)
31,000,000,000,000
Non-debt capital receipts
800,000,000,000
Gross domestic product
295,000,000,000,000

Results

Fiscal deficit as % of GDP
5.492%
Fiscal deficit
$16,200,000,000,000.00
Indicative revenue deficit
$9,800,000,000,000.00
Receipts as % of expenditure
66.25%

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Fiscal deficit
  3. 3As % of GDP
  4. 4Fiscal deficit as % of GDP= 5.492
  5. 5Fiscal deficit= 16,200,000,000,000.00
  6. 6Indicative revenue deficit= 9,800,000,000,000.00
  7. 7Receipts as % of expenditure= 66.25

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Indicative estimate only. Fees, entitlements, limits and formulas vary by jurisdiction, statute, policy wording and the facts of the case. This is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice — confirm with a qualified professional or the relevant authority.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Indicative estimate only. Fees, entitlements, limits and formulas vary by jurisdiction, statute, policy wording and the facts of the case. This is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice — confirm with a qualified professional or the relevant authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference from the revenue deficit?

Revenue deficit covers only current spending against current receipts. Fiscal deficit includes capital spending, so borrowing for investment shows up there.

Why is 3% often cited as a target?

It is a fiscal rule convention: at nominal growth of around 5-6%, a 3% deficit roughly stabilises the debt-to-GDP ratio.

Related Calculators

Fiscal Deficit Percentage Calculator | Calcrivo