Government Surplus And Revenue Overview
Cyprus reported a general government surplus of €653.6 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a decrease from the €871.0 million surplus recorded during the same period in 2024. This figure, derived from preliminary results released by Cystat, encapsulates fiscal performance for the July–September 2025 period.
Incremental Revenue Performance
Notwithstanding the lower surplus, total government revenue increased by €104.2 million (2.6%), reaching €4.10 billion compared to €3.99 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2024. The growth was driven by several key factors:
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- Social contributions surged by €62.5 million (5.7%), up to €1.15 billion.
- Taxes on income and wealth experienced a modest increase of €10.9 million (0.8%), totalling €1.30 billion.
- Taxes on production and imports climbed by €7.1 million (0.6%), with net VAT revenue alone rising by €40.2 million (4.8%) to €886.4 million.
- Additional gains were seen in property income receivable, which increased by €3.0 million (13.5%), and capital transfers, which grew by €6.0 million to €10.8 million.
- Furthermore, revenue from the sale of goods and services advanced by €15.1 million (6.1%) to reach €260.9 million.
Escalating Expenditure Patterns
The fiscal report also reveals notable increases in public spending. Total government expenditure rose by €321.5 million (10.3%) to €3.45 billion in Q3 2025, up from €3.12 billion in the previous year. This expansion in spending is detailed as follows:
- Social transfers increased by €97.8 million (7.9%) to €1.33 billion.
- Employee compensation, which includes imputed social contributions and pensions for civil servants, rose by €50.5 million (5.6%) to €955.6 million.
- Intermediate consumption saw a slight rise of €4.5 million (1.2%) to €382.0 million.
- The capital account experienced a substantial upswing, jumping by €223.7 million (84.2%) to €489.3 million, reflecting enhanced capital formation and transfers.
- Conversely, property income payable dropped by €26.1 million (25.7%) to €75.3 million, while other current expenditures and subsidies declined by €16.1 million (8.6%) and €12.6 million (25.3%) respectively.
Implications For Fiscal Policy
The mixed performance in key fiscal indicators highlights a nuanced picture. The increased revenue streams underscore a growing tax base and improved collection efficiency, yet the lower surplus and rising expenditures suggest a need for balanced fiscal strategies moving forward. Policymakers must address the challenges posed by escalating public spending while leveraging the gains in revenue to sustain long-term economic stability.
Conclusion
The Q3 2025 fiscal figures for Cyprus provide valuable insights into the country’s economic trajectory, offering both promising trends and critical areas for intervention. As decision-makers refine their fiscal policies, the interplay between revenue growth and expenditure management will remain central to Cyprus’s broader economic agenda.
