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Government Posts €0.6 Million Surplus For Second Quarter 2025, Signaling Robust Fiscal Recovery

Impressive Shift From Deficit to Surplus

The General Government registered a fiscal surplus of €0.6 million in the second quarter of 2025 (April–June), according to preliminary data from the Statistical Service. This turnaround is particularly notable when contrasted with the €68.7 million deficit recorded during the same period in 2024, underscoring a significant improvement in the nation’s fiscal health.

Revenue Growth Outpaces Last Year

Total revenues increased by €307.8 million (a 9.5% jump), climbing from €3,237 million to €3,544.8 million compared with the corresponding quarter of 2024. This robust performance was driven by several key components:

  • Social Contributions: Up by €81.7 million (7.5%), reaching €1,177.9 million.
  • Income & Wealth Taxes: Increased by €100.6 million (19.8%), totaling €607.7 million.
  • Production & Import Taxes: Rose by €45.2 million (3.8%), to €1,226.4 million, with the net VAT income up by €22.9 million (2.9%) arriving at €811.9 million.
  • Property Income: Grew by €55.3 million, reaching €84.2 million.
  • Capital Transfers: Recorded a substantial increase of €47.9 million (86.6%), aggregating €103.2 million.

On the downside, the government noted reductions in current transfers (a decline of €15.8 million or 10.9%) and in revenues derived from goods and services (a decrease of €7.1 million or 3.2%).

Expenditure Trends and Fiscal Discipline

Total expenditures climbed by €238.5 million (7.2%), reaching €3,544.2 million compared with €3,305.7 million in the corresponding quarter of 2024. Key expenditure areas include:

  • Social Benefits: Increased by €72.9 million (5.2%), totaling €1,466.6 million.
  • Personnel Costs: Rose by €60.5 million (6.7%), reaching €965 million.
  • Property Income Payable: Up by €21.5 million (13.7%).
  • Intermediate Consumption: Increased by €62.3 million (19.4%), arriving at €383.6 million.
  • Capital Expenditures & Transfers: Saw an uplift of €43.2 million (16.7%), totaling €302.6 million.

Further savings were achieved through a €21.9 million (9.4%) reduction in other current expenditures, which fell to €211.1 million.

Conclusion: A Promising Fiscal Outlook

The marked shift from a substantial deficit to a surplus, alongside notable revenue growth and managed expenditure increases, signals robust fiscal recovery and prudent fiscal management. This evolution not only improves confidence in public finances but also sets a promising tone for future financial planning and economic stability.

Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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