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Greece’s Fiscal Surplus Narrows In 2025 As Government Spending Rises

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 5, 2026

Overview Of Fiscal Balance And Performance

The Greek General Government recorded a fiscal surplus of €939.2 million between January and December 2025, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. The figure is lower than the €1,439.3 million surplus, or 4.1% of GDP, reported during the same period in 2024. Revenue growth continued during the year, while higher public spending reduced the overall surplus compared with the previous year.

Revenue Growth And Sectoral Shifts

Total government revenue increased by €864.8 million in 2025, rising 5.9% to €15,615.2 million from €14,750.3 million in 2024.

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Income and wealth taxes rose by €341.3 million, or 9%, reaching €4,146 million compared with €3,804.7 million a year earlier. Social contributions increased by €358.7 million, or 7.9%, totaling €4,878.7 million.

Interest and dividend income rose by €37.4 million, or 30.4%, reaching €160.3 million. Taxes on production and imports increased slightly by €14 million, or 0.3%. Net VAT revenue declined by €52.8 million, or 1.7%.

Sales of goods and services generated €159.6 million more in revenue, representing a 17.9% increase to €1,049.4 million. Current transfers rose by €27.9 million, or 7.1%, to €421.1 million. Capital transfers declined by €74.1 million, or 22%, to €262.9 million.

Rising Government Expenditures

Government spending increased by €1,364.9 million in 2025, rising 10.3% to €14,675.9 million compared with €13,311 million in 2024. Personnel costs, including estimated social security contributions and public sector pensions, rose by €253.3 million, or 6.5%, reaching €4,131.2 million.

Social benefits increased by €382.3 million, or 7.2%, totaling €5,686 million. Intermediate consumption rose by €136 million, or 9.3%, to €1,600.8 million. Current transfers also increased, rising by €77.8 million, or 9.2%, to €920.2 million.

Capital Expenditure And Debt Costs

Capital expenditure recorded the largest increase during the year. The capital account rose by €562.1 million, or 46.6%, reaching €1,767.2 million.

Growth was driven by fixed capital investment, which increased by €242.6 million, or 25.1%, to €1,207.3 million. Other capital transfers also expanded, rising by €319.5 million from €240.4 million.

Interest payments on government debt declined by €27 million, or 6.1%, reaching €418.7 million. Subsidies also fell, decreasing by €19.6 million, or 11.4%, to €151.8 million.

Data Reporting Notes

Greece’s statistical authority reported that estimates were used for certain entities within the General Government sector, particularly within local government, due to incomplete data submissions from the relevant authorities.

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Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

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Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.