Statistical presentation

Data description

The statistic shows the government deficit and debt in the EU countries. The compilation consists of consolidated gross debt at nominal value for general government is sometimes referred to as EMU-debt or government debt.

The deficit is sometimes referred to as the EMU-deficit or government deficit.

Government deficit and debt in the EU-countries was published for the first time in 2020. Before that The Danish government deficit and debt was published - for the first time in 2004, covering data back to 2000. Government deficit and debt in EU was first published in 2003, covering data back to 2004.

Quarterly Danish EMU-debt contains data in DKK billion and is disseminated in the StatBank table EDP5. Government debt is compiled at nominal value (current prices).

Government deficit and debt in the EU-countries contain data for all EU Member States and are specified in mill. euro, in mill. Danish kroner (only for Denmark) and in percent of GDP. These are disseminated in the StatBank tables EDP1. The sum of the EU members debt is not equal EU-27’s debt. This is due to consolidation of internal EU-debt in the EU-27 numbers.

Classification system

General government sector.

Sector coverage

General government sector and the three subsectors: central government, local government and social security funds.

Statistical concepts and definitions

Government EMU-debt: The consolidated gross debt of the general government sector, measured at nominal value. It comprises the most significant debt items of central government, municipalities, and regions, as well as social security funds. As the debt is measured on a gross basis, financial assets (e.g. equity holdings and deposits with Danmarks Nationalbank) cannot be offset. Only financial claims and liabilities between public subsectors can be offset (e.g. municipalities’ holdings of government bonds), as the calculation is consolidated. The EMU debt is used, among other things, by the European Commission to monitor developments in Denmark’s and other EU countries’ budgetary positions and public debt, and to assess compliance with the convergence criteria. According to the EU Stability and Growth Pact, under normal circumstances the EMU debt must not exceed 60 per cent of GDP. Both euro area and non-euro area countries are required to comply with the established EMU criteria.

Government EMU-surplus/EMU-deficit: The overall surplus/deficit of the general government sector (central government, regions, municipalities, and social security funds). It is identical to the general government balance. The EMU balance is used, among other things, by the European Commission to monitor developments in Denmark’s and other EU countries’ budgetary positions and public debt, and to assess compliance with the convergence criteria. According to the EU Stability and Growth Pact, under normal circumstances the deficit on the EMU balance must not exceed 3 per cent of GDP. Both euro area and non-euro area countries are obliged to comply with the established EMU criteria.

Statistical unit

The statistics are compiled for institutional units within the general government sector, including central government, regions, municipalities, and social security funds. The data are compiled at sector and subsector level in accordance with the European System of National and Regional Accounts (ESA 2010).

Statistical population

General government sector in Denmark and all EU-countries.

Reference area

Denmark and all EU-member countries.

Time coverage

Data is available from 2000.

Base period

None.

Unit of measure

• In statbank table EDP1 the government deficit and debt for all the EU-countries is in percent of GDP and in mill. Euro. For Denmark it is also specified in mill. Danish Kroner
• In statbank table EDP5 the quarterly Danish EMU-debt is specified in bill. kroner.

Reference period

Calender year

Frequency of dissemination

Semi-annual and quarterly.

Legal acts and other agreements

• The legal authority to collect data is provided by section 6 of the Act on Statistics Denmark by act no. 610 of May 30th 2018
• Council Regulation (EC) No 220/2014 on references to the European system of national accounts in the European Union.
• Council Regulation (EC) No 679/2010 on the quality of statistical data in the context of the excessive deficit procedure.
• Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 of 25 May 2009 on the application of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure.
• Council Regulation (EC) No 1222/2004 concerning the compilation and transmission of data on the quarterly public debt.

Cost and burden

There is no response burden as the data are collected by others: Danmarks Nationalbank, Økonomistyrelsen, SP, AK-samvirke, LG, A-kasserne and local governments. And furthermore by Eurostat.

Comment

Further information can be found at the subject page, or by contacting Statistics Denmark directly.