Deficit for Swedish central government in October 2026

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Press release 6 November 2026

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 14.5 billion in October. The Debt Office’s forecast was a deficit of SEK 28.9 billion. The difference is mainly due to higher payments from the EU.

The primary balance was SEK 21.0 billion higher than the forecast. The difference is mainly due to incoming payments from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, which in our May forecast we had assumed would be disbursed in July and December this year. The payments from the EU amounted to around SEK 20 billion. All funds allocated to Sweden under the Recovery and Resilience Plan have now been disbursed. The payments are part of the support from the EU's joint effort to strengthen the recovery of member states after the pandemic and contribute to the green and digital transition. In addition, tax income was approximately SEK 8 billion higher than expected, but this was offset by higher expenditure, particularly in the form of defence spending.

The Debt Office's net lending to government agencies and others was SEK 6.7 billion higher than forecast.

Interest payments on central government debt were in line with our forecast.

For the twelve-month period up to the end of October 2026, central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 131.5 billion.

Central government debt amounted to SEK 1,350 billion at the end of October.

The outcome for November 2026 will be published on 7 December 2026 at 8.00 a.m.

The date for publishing a new forecast on the Swedish economy and central government borrowing is 26 November 2026.

Budget balance and central government net borrowing requirement [1] (SEK million)
  Outcome Forecast Deviation Acc.  Dev. [2] Outcome 12-month
Budget balance -14 546 -28 910 14 365 39 778 -131 524
Net borrowing requirement 14 546 28 910 -14 365 -39 778 131 524
Primary balance [3] 10 757 31 744 -20 987 956 117 100
Net lending to agencies etc. [4] 3 343 -3 371 6 714 -38 983 -12 860
Interest payments on central government debt 445 537 -92 -1 751 27 283
  - Interest on loans in SEK 704 536 168 1 428 32 460
  - Interest on loans in foreign currency -164 0 -163 -499 -481
  - Realised currency gains and losses -95 2 -97 -2 680 -4 696
[1] The net borrowing requirement corresponds to the budget balance with the 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 that 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 October 2026

Official statistics on the central government net 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 its latest forecast on the Swedish economy and central government borrowing on 28 May 2026: Central Government Borrowing - Forecast and Analysis 2026:1.

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
E-mail: press@riksgalden.se