Eurostat Reports 11 EU Nations Exceeded 3% Budget Deficit

Eurostat reported that 11 of the 27 European Union member countries recorded budget deficits exceeding 3% of their gross domestic product in 2025. Romania reported the highest deficit at 7.9%, followed by Belgium at 5.2% and France at 5.1%.

Quarterly data for the end of 2025 shows a divergence between the euro area and the broader European Union. The seasonally adjusted general government deficit to GDP ratio in the euro area dipped slightly to 3.0% in the fourth quarter from 3.1% in the third quarter. Conversely, the European Union's deficit ratio rose to 3.2% during the same period.

Financial metrics for the fourth quarter indicate that total government revenue in the euro area rose to 47.3% of GDP against expenditures of 50.3%. For the European Union, total revenue reached 46.8% of GDP while total expenditure increased to 50.0%.