Greece's state budget has significantly outperformed expectations in 2024, posting a primary surplus of €8.7 billion, more than double the projected target.
This positive outcome marks a substantial improvement from the previous year and highlights the country's progress towards fiscal stability.
The government's overall budget balance also surprised with a surplus of €369 million, a stark contrast to the anticipated deficit.
The strong performance was fueled by higher-than-expected revenue from the Public Investment Program (PIP) and savings from delayed defense expenditures and lower social security transfers.
A major contributor to the surplus was the €3.24 billion generated from the new Attica Motorway concession deal. Additionally, key tax revenues, such as VAT and corporate taxes, exceeded projections, further bolstering the budget's outcome.
"These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our fiscal policies," said a finance ministry spokesperson. "Greece is committed to maintaining fiscal discipline and ensuring sustainable economic growth."
The impressive budget performance signals a positive trajectory for Greece's economy, paving the way for continued stability and investor confidence.