Syria records $1 billion budget deficit in first half of 2026
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria recorded a public budget deficit of about $1 billion in the first half of 2026, with total public revenues reaching around $2.7 billion against public spending of approximately $3.7 billion, Finance Minister Mohammad Yassar Bernia on Monday said.
The Finance Ministry published its financial performance report for the state’s general budget for the first half of 2026, as part of its efforts to strengthen transparency and disclose public finance data and information to citizens and stakeholders.
Compared with the first half of 2025, public revenues increased by about 111 percent, while public spending rose by approximately 331 percent, Bernia said.
He attributed the increase in spending mainly to higher salaries and wages and expanded government spending on priority areas.
Bernia said revenues from oil and gas began being transferred to the Finance Ministry in May, adding that higher revenues expected in the second half of the year, improved tax and customs collection, and some exceptional revenues could strengthen state treasury resources.
On the spending side, Bernia said expenditures are expected to increase in the second half of the year as the full impact of higher salaries and wages emerges and the implementation of projects and investment spending accelerates.
“We are committed to strengthening financial disclosure so that every Syrian citizen knows what enters the budget, where these resources are directed and how their implementation develops throughout the year,” Bernia said.