In 2024, Slovakia’s general government deficit amounted to nearly €7 billion, representing 5.27% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to preliminary data released by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. This marks a slight increase from the 5.19% deficit recorded in 2023. The country’s general government debt also rose to €77.65 billion, or 59.3% of GDP. The data, part of the spring notification submitted to the European Commission, include updates for 2021–2024 and incorporate revised figures from the Ministry of Finance for 2025 based on the approved budget. The year-on-year increase in the deficit amounts to approximately €0.5 billion, with 2023’s deficit standing at €6.43 billion after revisions. The central government contributed the most to the 2024 deficit, ending the year with a shortfall of €7.15 billion. This compares with €6.78 billion the previous year. Local governments posted a deficit of nearly €130 million, reversing a surplus of €81.3 million in 2023. Meanwhile, social security funds recorded a surplus of €370 million, about €100 million more than the year before. Government debt as a share of GDP climbed from 55.64% in 2023 to 59.28% in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of €8.75 billion. These figures are based on revised GDP data published as part of the spring revision process. The Statistical Office noted that recent changes, including the reclassification of energy support expenditures and related reimbursements for 2023, had only a minor impact on the reported deficit and debt levels. These adjustments were recorded in line with the accrual accounting principle. In addition to deficit and debt statistics, the report also includes data on selected financial assets held by the general government sector for the years 2021 to 2024. The updated GDP figures, which affected both quarterly and annual data from 2021 through 2024, were released simultaneously and indicated a stronger performance of the Slovak economy than previously estimated. Source: SRSO