Economic Indicators

Brazil posts larger-than-expected August deficit as government spending outpaces revenue

2024.09.30 08:53

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s public sector posted a larger-than-expected deficit in August, central bank data showed on Monday, driven by a mismatch between central government revenues and expenditures.

The primary deficit, which excludes interest payments, reached 21.4 billion reais ($3.9 billion) for the month, surpassing the 20.8 billion reais deficit forecast by economists polled by Reuters.

The result was mainly due to a 22.3 billion reais deficit from the central government, while regional governments posted a surplus of 435 million reais, and state-owned enterprises recorded a surplus of 469 million reais.

Over the past 12 months, the public sector primary deficit reached 2.26% of gross domestic product.

For the central government alone, the shortfall was 2.34% of GDP, still far from the government’s target of balancing the budget this year, which allows for a tolerance of 0.25% of GDP either side.

Government debt as a share of GDP edged up slightly to 78.5% in August from 78.4% the previous month, the central bank said, primarily due to 69 billion reais in interest payments.

Facing increasing inflationary pressures, the central bank began a tightening cycle earlier this month, delivering a 25 basis point hike to 10.75%.

Policymakers left the door open for further hikes, which economists expect to be larger going forward, raising the cost of Brazil’s already heavy debt load.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows the Central Bank headquarters building during sunset in Brasilia, Brazil, June 11, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo

Last week, ratings agency Fitch said Brazil’s gross debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to rise to 77.8% this year, up from 74.4% last year, widening the gap with countries holding the same credit rating as Brazil, with a median of 55%.

($1 = 5.4341 reais)



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