Low fiscal discipline in CEE continues

Four out of first five countries with the highest general government deficit in the European Union are those from the region. Romania and Poland have the highest budget deficit after the third quarter of 2024 (calculated on four-quarter rolling basis) at almost 8% and 6% of GDP respectively. Hungary and Slovakia place themselves high as well with general government deficits close to 5% of GDP if measured as four-quarter rolling basis. Slovenia and Croatia have the best fiscal position within the CEE region. Only Slovakia and Romania will deliver more substantial fiscal consolidation, primarily based on revenue measures. On top of the measures already taken on the expenditure side (freezes of pensions and wages in the public sector), Romania is likely to lift tax rates. Hungary will reduce the deficit only mildly ahead of next years elections. The budget should get support through lower interest expenditures and inflation-indexed tax revenues. Poland prioritized higher military spending and drawing loans from the RRF over consolidation, which will be postponed to 2026. In 2025, it bets on higher revenues from excise taxes and non-indexed tax allowances.