World Tables Variables

GOVERNMENT DEFICIT OR SURPLUS

Government deficit or surplus

Defined as the sum of current and capital revenue and all grants received, less the sum of current and capital expenditure and government lending minus repayments.

Current revenue

Comprises tax revenue and nontax revenue. Capital receipts are excluded. Tax revenue covers tax on income, profits, social security contributions, taxes on property, domestic taxes on goods and services, etc. Nontax revenue consists of grants, property income and operating surpluses of departmental enterprises, receipts from public enterprises, administrative fees and charges, fines, etc.

Current expenditure

Expenditure for goods and services, interest payments, and subsidies and other current transfers. Excludes capital payments.

Current budget balance

The excess of current revenue over current expenditure.

Capital receipts

Proceeds from the sale of nonfinancial capital assets, including land, intangible assets, stocks, and fixed capital assets of buildings, construction, and equipment of more than a minimum value and usable for more than one year in the process of production, and receipts of unrequited transfers for capital purposes from nongovernmental sources.

Capital payments

Expenditure for acquisition of land, intangible assets, government stocks, and nonmilitary and nonfinancial assets; also for capital grants and lending minus repayments.