Ljubljana - The national budget recorded EUR 7.97 billion in revenue in the first nine months of the year, or 19.6% more than in the same period last year, while expenditure increased by 15.3% to EUR 10.42 billion. The deficit thus amounted to EUR 2.45 billion and was slightly higher than at the same point last year.

The Finance Ministry noted that the higher deficit was a consequence of growth of expenditure, in particular for wages, transfers to individuals and households, other current domestic transfers and investment spending.

On the other hand, the deficit was offset by a considerable growth in revenue, including higher revenue from personal income tax, corporate income tax, value added tax and funds received from the EU.

Anti-epidemic stimulus measures for this year amounted to EUR 2.27 billion by the end of September, compared to EUR 1.88 billion in the same period last year.