State Budget Deficit Reaches Rp 54.6 Trillion in First Month of 2026, Purbaya: Still Very Much Under Control

Jakarta, VIVA – The State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) recorded a deficit of Rp 54.6 trillion, or 0.21 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), in the first month of 2026. The government has described the figure as still well under control.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa affirmed that the APBN posted a deficit as of January 2026 despite state revenue recording positive growth of 20.5 per cent year-on-year. Realised state revenue stood at Rp 172.7 trillion, or 5.5 per cent of the APBN target of Rp 3,153.6 trillion.

“The APBN deficit stands at Rp 54.6 trillion, or just 0.21 per cent of GDP. This figure is still very much under control and within the design corridor of the 2026 APBN,” Purbaya said at the APBN KiTa press conference, February 2026 edition, in Jakarta on Monday, 23 February 2026.

Purbaya explained that the performance was supported by tax revenue realisation of Rp 138.9 trillion, or 5.2 per cent of the target, comprising tax receipts of Rp 116.2 trillion (4.9 per cent of target) and customs and excise revenue of Rp 22.6 trillion (6.7 per cent of target).

“Tax revenue in January grew 30.7 per cent compared to last year. This means there has been some macroeconomic improvement and gains from tax collection efficiency at the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP). I hope this continues going forward,” Purbaya said.

Meanwhile, non-tax state revenue (PNBP) was recorded at Rp 33.9 trillion, or 7.4 per cent of the target. Although growth contracted by 20.4 per cent, Purbaya noted that this performance reflected a recovery excluding last year’s non-recurring components.

It should be noted that PNBP absorption has undergone adjustment since dividends from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were transferred to the Investment Management Agency (BPI) Danantara.

On the expenditure side, state spending was realised at Rp 227.3 trillion, or 5.9 per cent of the target, growing 25.7 per cent year-on-year. According to Purbaya, this growth demonstrates that the government has accelerated spending disbursement from the start of the year, particularly in supporting priority programmes, maintaining public purchasing power, and driving economic growth in the first quarter of 2026.

Central government expenditure grew 53.3 per cent year-on-year, with realisation reaching Rp 131.9 trillion, or 4.2 per cent of the target. Notably strong growth was seen in ministry and institutional spending, which surged 128.9 per cent year-on-year. Realised ministry and institutional expenditure stood at Rp 55.8 trillion, or 3.7 per cent of the target.