At the end of September 2026, Central Government debt stood at €11,956.6 million, an increase of €846.4 million when compared to 2025, the NSO said Friday. The increase reported under Malta Government Stocks (€658.9 million) was the main contributor to the rise in debt.
Higher debt was also reported under Treasury Bills (€288.2 million) and Euro coins issued in the name of the Treasury (€4.8 million). This increase in debt was partially offset by a drop in Foreign Loans (€80.1 million) and in the 62+ Malta Government Savings Bond (€5.4 million). Moreover, higher holdings by government funds in Malta Government Stocks resulted in a decrease in debt of €20.0 million.
By the end of September 2026, the Government's Consolidated Fund reported a deficit of €484.8 million.
Between January and September 2026, Recurrent Revenue amounted to €6,368.3 million, €704.2 million higher than the figure reported a year earlier. The largest increases were recorded under Income Tax (€349.7 million), Value Added Tax (€224.7 million) and Social Security (€84.6 million). On the other hand, lower revenue was recorded under Fees of Office (€45.1 million), Miscellaneous receipts (€4.6m) and Reimbursements (€3.8 million).
Total expenditure by the close of September 2026 stood at €6,853.1 million, €935.8 million higher than the previous year.
During the reference period, Recurrent Expenditure totalled €5,866.8 million, an increase of €754.5 million compared to the €5,112.4 million reported the year prior. The main contributor to this increase was a €422.8 million rise reported under Programmes and Initiatives. Further increases were also recorded under Personal Emoluments (€124.7 million), Operational and Maintenance Expenses (€117.5 million), and Contributions to Government Entities (€89.4 million).
The main developments in the Programmes and Initiatives category involved higher outlays towards Social security benefits (€120.8 million), Energy support measures (€63.4 million) and EU own resources (€43.6 million).
The interest component of the public debt servicing costs totalled €246.8 million, an increase of €25.4 million when compared to the previous year.
By the end of September 2026, Government's capital spending amounted to €739.5 million, €156.0 million higher than the comparative period in 2025. Higher outlay was, among others, reported towards projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) (€71.0 million), Acquisition of property for public purposes (€43.5 million) and Property, plant and equipment (€18.4 million).
The difference between total revenue and expenditure resulted in a deficit of €484.8 million being reported in the Government's Consolidated Fund at the end of September 2026, in comparison to the €253.1 million deficit registered the year prior. This difference mirrors an increase in total Recurrent Revenue (€704.2 million), offset by a higher rise in total expenditure, which consists of Recurrent Expenditure (€754.5 million), Interest (€25.4 million) and Capital Expenditure (€156.0 million).