Measures of Government Deficit
When a government’s expenditures surpass its revenues, it operates with a budget deficit. This section breaks down the nuances around measuring government deficits. The key measures of government deficit include:
- Revenue Deficit: This measures the excess of the government's revenue expenditures over its revenue receipts. It indicates how much a government is dissaving and has implications for future borrowing and the capacity to finance its operations without incurring debt.
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Formula:
Revenue Deficit = Revenue Expenditure - Revenue Receipts
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Fiscal Deficit: This represents the total borrowing requirements of the government. It highlights the difference between total expenditure (both revenue and capital) and total receipts (excluding borrowing). A significant fiscal deficit indicates a reliance on loans for financing and suggests system overload in terms of fiscal plans.
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Formula:
Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure - (Revenue Receipts + Non-debt Creating Capital Receipts)
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Primary Deficit: This measures the fiscal deficit excluding interest payments on existing debt, focusing primarily on the current fiscal balance. It gives insight into government borrowing requirements without the encumbrance of previous debts.
- Formula:
Primary Deficit = Fiscal Deficit - Net Interest Payments
The section concludes by discussing the implications of continuous deficits, such as the potential for higher government debt over time, putting stress on future budgets and economic health.