The general government surplus in the July-September period represented 1.6% of Slovenia's GDP, and was up by EUR 134 million or 1.1% of GDP compared to the same period in 2018.

Total public expenditure in the third quarter of 2019 was EUR 5.43 billion, or 7.4% more than in the same period last year. Revenue from social security contributions again represented the highest share in the revenue structure.

Tax revenue was up by 5.8%, with the growth of total revenue being impacted the most by current taxes on income and property, which increased by 9.7%. Taxes on production and exports were meanwhile up 3.5%.

Total public expenditure amounted to EUR 5.24 billion, or 4.8% higher. It was the first time that the growth of expenditure was lower than the growth of revenue since the last quarter of 2018.

Compared to the third quarter of last year, expenditure related to employees increased the most, by 7.5%, followed by expenditure for social benefits (+5%) and expenditure for investments in fixed assets (+4.8%).

On the other hand, expenditure for the payment of interest continued to decrease in the third quarter, dropping by 15% year-on-year.

Consolidated general government debt increased to EUR 32.39 billion at the end of the third quarter, or EUR 586 million more than at the same point last year. Debt related to short-term loans increased the most.

Expressed as a share of GDP, general government debt was at 68.1% at the end of September, the Statistics Office said.