Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 2.9 billion in March. This was SEK 11.4 billion lower than the Debt Office's forecast of a deficit of SEK 14.2 billion. The difference is mainly due to lower net lending to government agencies and lower interest payments on central government debt.
The central government's primary borrowing requirement, excluding net lending, developed in line with the Debt Office's February forecast. The deviation was SEK 0.4 billion. Tax income was SEK 5.0 billion higher than estimated. It was offset by higher expenses, primarily the contribution to the EU, which were SEK 2.6 billion higher than forecast.
The Debt Office's net lending to government agencies was SEK 8.2 billion lower than forecast. This is mainly due to shifts in on-lending to the Riksbank between March and April and will not affect the full-year outcome.
Interest payments on central government debt were SEK 2.8 billion lower than forecast. The deviation is mainly due to lower capital losses related to exchange auctions in inflation-linked bonds and payment shifts between months.
For the twelve-month period up to the end of March 2014, central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 43 billion.
Central government debt amounted to SEK 1,247 billion at the end of March.
The outcome for April will be published on 8 May 2014, at 9:30 am.
Further information can be obtained from:
Johan Sandberg, +46 8 613 47 37
| Central Government Net Borrowing Requirement (SEK million) | March 2013 | March 2014 | 12-month |
| Net borrowing requirement | -5 810 | 2 870 | 43 141 |
| Primary borrowing requirement | -11 644 | -1 219 | 27 503 |
| Interest payments | 5 834 | 4 089 | 15 639 |
| - Interest on loans in SEK | 6 696 | 4 331 | 20 899 |
| - Interest on loans in foreign currency | -27 | 98 | 1 263 |
| - Realised currency gains and losses | -835 | -340 | -6 523 |
