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GermanyFederal Republic of Germany · Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Government Budget
Fiscal Year 2024

Source: Destatis, BMF, Bundesbank · Gesamtstaat
Total Revenue
€2.01T
~47.4% of GDP
Deficit
€118.8B
2.8% of GDP
Total Expenditure
€2.13T
~50.2% of GDP
Public Debt
~63%
~€2.7T gross · Schuldenbremse constrains
Budget breakdown

Revenue by Source

Max = €303B (VAT) · Total €2.01T
Income & Profit Taxes
Wage Tax (Lohnsteuer)14–45% progressive
€249B5.9% GDP
Assessed Income TaxSelf-employed, capital income
€73B1.7% GDP
Corporate Tax (KSt)15% + solidarity + trade tax (~30%)
€92B2.2% GDP
Capital Gains (KapESt)25% Abgeltungsteuer
€35B0.8% GDP
Consumption Taxes
VAT (USt)19% standard · 7% reduced
€303B7.1% GDP
Energy TaxFuel excise
€35B0.8% GDP
Other Excise & LeviesTobacco, alcohol, insurance
€36B0.8% GDP
Trade Tax (Gewerbesteuer)Municipal business tax ~14%
€75B1.8% GDP
Social Contributions
Social ContributionsGRV 18.6% + GKV ~16.3% + GPV 3.4% + GAV 2.6%
€620B14.6% GDP
Other Revenue
Other taxes & non-taxReal estate, inheritance, Bundesbank
€50B1.2% GDP
Deficit FinancingBundesanleihen
€118.8B2.8% GDP
Total Resources Available
€2.13T
Note: Germany's four social insurance funds are funded by equal employer-employee contributions. Federal transfers of ~€100B bridge pension shortfall.

Expenditure by Function

Max = €390B (GRV Pensions) · Total €2.13T
Social Insurance Funds
Statutory Pensions (GRV)~21M pensioners · PAYG
€390B9.2% GDP
Statutory Health (GKV)~74M insured
€310B7.3% GDP
Long-term Care (GPV)Nursing homes, home care
€65B1.5% GDP
Unemployment (GAV)~60% of prev. wage
€38B0.9% GDP
Civil Servant PensionsNon-contributory
€65B1.5% GDP
Social Transfers
Bürgergeld & Social AidBasic income (formerly Hartz IV)
€75B1.8% GDP
Family & Child BenefitsKindergeld €250/mo · Elterngeld
€65B1.5% GDP
Public Services
EducationSchools (Länder) + universities
€200B4.7% GDP
Defence (Bundeswehr)Core €51.8B + Sondervermögen ~€19B
€90B2.1% GDP
General AdministrationFederal, Länder & municipal
€130B3.1% GDP
InfrastructureRoads, rail, digital
€60B1.4% GDP
Interest on DebtOn ~€2.7T gross debt
€65B1.5% GDP
Other ExpenditureAgriculture, environment, science, EU
€179B4.2% GDP
Total Expenditure
€2.13T
Note: Gesamtstaat (~€2.13T) includes Federal (~€477B), Länder (~€450B), municipalities (~€350B), and social insurance funds (~€850B).
Context & explanations
🔒

Schuldenbremse (Debt Brake)

Basic Law restricts federal structural deficit to 0.35% GDP. A Constitutional Court ruling struck down a €60B fund transfer, ending the Scholz coalition.

Structural limit: 0.35% GDP
👴

GRV Pensions — Largest Line

~€390B to ~21M pensioners — 9.2% of GDP. Federal transfers of ~€100B bridge the shortfall.

GRV: ~9.2% GDP
🏥

GKV Health Insurance

~€310B covering ~90% of population. 14.6% of wages base rate plus ~1.7% additional.

GKV + GPV: ~8.8% GDP
🛡️

Defence: NATO 2% Met

Core €51.8B + €100B Sondervermögen = ~2.1% GDP. Germany's Zeitenwende.

Defence: ~2.1% GDP
💶

VAT at 19%

€302B — below OECD median as GDP share due to generous reduced rates.

VAT: €302B · 7.1% GDP
🌍

Bürgergeld & Migration

~5.5M recipients at ~€45B. Integration costs add ~€30B. Politically controversial.

Bürgergeld: ~€45B

Primary sources: Destatis; BMF; Deutsche Rentenversicherung; GKV-Spitzenverband; NATO; IMF.

Methodology: ESA 2010 general government. Tax: €948B. Social contributions: ~€620B. GDP: ~€4.25T.