Surplus for Swedish central government in April 2023

Press release 8 May 2023

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 12.7 billion in April. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 23.5 billion. The surplus being lower than expected is primarily due to lower tax income.

The primary balance was SEK 12.5 billion lower than the forecast. Tax income was approximately SEK 10 billion lower than expected. However, tax income of approximately SEK 3 billion that was supposed to be transferred to the Debt Office on the last banking day of the month was delayed. Hence, this amount affects the budget balance for May instead of April. Payments from government agencies were in line with the forecast.

The Debt Office’s net lending to government agencies etc. was SEK 1.5 billion lower than forecasted. This is mainly due to higher deposits from the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.

Interest payments on the central government debt were SEK 0.2 billion lower than forecast.

For the twelve-month period up to the end of April 2023, central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 121.9 billion.

Central government debt amounted to SEK 1 020 billion at the end of April.

The outcome for May 2023 will be published on June 8, 2023 at 8.00 a.m.

The date for publishing a new forecast on the Swedish economy and central government borrowing is May 25.

Budget balance and central government net borrowing requirement (SEK million)
 OutcomeForecastDev.Acc. Dev. [2]Outcome 12-month

Budget balance

12 694

23 461

-10 767

38 311

121 945

Net borrowing requirement [1]

-12 694

-23 461

10 767

-38 311

-121 945

Primary balance [3]

29 468

17 002

12 466

-30 285

-55 114

Net lending to agencies etc. [4]

-43 440

-41 903

-1 536

-8 894

-98 506

Interest payments on central government debt

1 278

1 441

-163

867

31 674

- Interest on loans in SEK

24

271

-247

1 514

19 975

- Interest on loans in foreign currency

147

162

-15

-131

-39

- Realised currency gains and losses

1 107

1 008

100

-516

11 738

[1] The net borrowing requirement corresponds to the budget balance with opposite sign.

[2] Sum of monthly forecast deviations since last forecast.

[3] Net of the state's primary expenditure and income.

[4] The net of government agencies etc. deposits and loans in the state’s internal bank. The net lending includes both current government operations and temporary occurrences which can be decided on short notice. The net lending affects the net borrowing requirement and central government debt, but is not covered by the Central government expenditure ceiling.

Report: Sweden's Central Government Debt April 2023

More data on the borrowing requirement and government debt

The monthly outcome of the central government net borrowing requirement is included in the official statistics of Sweden.

The Debt Office published their latest forecast on the Swedish economy and central government borrowing on February 23 2022: Forecast and analysis 2023:1 

Press inquiries

Mats Lilja, press officer

The Debt Office's operations shall be characterized by an openness to the public and the media. The right of access to official business is a cornerstone of Swedish democracy.

Our press officer helps you get in touch with the right person so that you can get your questions answered quickly and easily. He can also provide you with material, answer comprehensive questions about our business and upcoming publications.

Mats Lilja, press officer
Press phone (office hours): +46(0)8-613 47 01, mobile +46(0)721-561 527
E-mail: Mats Lilja