Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) revenue collection is up above projection by J$4.40 billion closing on J$148.23 billion for the period of April to May 2025.

This represents an increase of approximately 3.6 per cent relative to the J$143.09 billion recorded for the corresponding period in 2024. ‘Capital Revenue’ recorded nil in accordance with the budgeted amount. 

Likewise, the ‘Bauxite Levy,’ which recorded nil relative to the budgeted amount, also recorded nil. Conversely, ‘Grants’ closed the period at J$375.50 million, J$486.0 million less than the budgeted amount. 

‘Tax Revenue’ closed the period at J$137.35 billion, which is J$2.47 billion more than the budgeted amount. ‘Non-Tax Revenue’ of J$10.51 billion was reported, which is 29.8 per cent more than the budgeted amount. 

Details on expenditures 

Total expenditure for the period April to May 2025 amounted to J$183.88 billion, which is J$18.16 billion less than the budgeted amount of J$202.04 billion. Recurrent expenditure, which totalled J$178.22 billion, accounted for 97 per cent of overall expenditures. 

Under the recurrent expenditure categories for the review period, all of the categories were below the budgeted amount, including ‘Programmes,’ which amounted to J$64.49 billion and is J$7.52 billion less than the budgeted amount. ‘Wages & Salaries’, which totalled J$82.36 billion, is J$1.28 billion less than the budgeted amount. 

‘Employee Contribution’ totalled J$3.76 billion, which is 33.2 per cent lower than the budgeted amount. ‘Compensation of Employees’ closed on J$86.12 billion, being J$3.15 billion below budget. 

‘Interest’, which amounted to J$27.61 billion, is 0.5 per cent below the budgeted amount. The ‘Fiscal Deficit closed on 35.65 billion, relative to a ‘Projected Deficit’ of J$58.21 billion. 

Additionally, the ‘Primary Deficit Balance’ for the period amounted to J$8.04 billion, relative to the ‘Budgeted Primary Deficit Balance’ of J$30.45 billion.