Primary surplus

Central government finance.

A country's primary surplus is the component of the fiscal surplus that is comprised of current government spending less current income from taxes, and excludes interest paid on government debt.

If a country has larger levels of income relative to current spending, it is said to have a primary surplus. If it has larger levels of current spending relative to income, it is said to have a primary deficit.

Greece exits bailout programme

"... Greece is reemerging onto the global financial scene, having exited its bailout programme.

The country can again raise money for itself on the markets, albeit at an expensive rate due to its poor credit rating and weak economy.

It also has stringent criteria to meet including a primary surplus of 3.5% of GDP until 2022..."

The Treasurer magazine, October 2018, p6 - Agenda.

See also

• Bailout
• Credit rating
• Deficit
• Gross domestic product (GDP)
• Primary
• Surplus