Durrant Pate/Contributor

Government of Jamaica revenue collections for the April-October period are running $5.61 billion below budget, according to information released by the Ministry of Finance.

The data shows revenue collections for the period at J$608.62 billion, which is J$5.61 billion less than the budgeted amount of J$614.23 billion. However, this represents an increase of approximately 2.2 per cent relative to the J$595.35 billion recorded for the corresponding period in 2024. ‘Capital Revenue’ recorded nil, in line with the budgeted amount. 

Similarly, the ‘Bauxite Levy’ also recorded nil, consistent with the budgeted figure. Conversely, grants closed the period at J$1.07 billion, which is J$556.2 million less than the budgeted amount of J$1.62 billion. ‘Tax Revenue’ closed on J$505.10 billion, underperforming by J$2.47 billion. ‘Non-Tax Revenue’ closed on J$102.45 billion, which is below the budgeted figure of J$105.04 billion. 

Expenditure performance

Total expenditure for the period amounted to J$636.96 billion, which is J$4.31 billion less than the budgeted target of J$641.26 billion. Recurrent expenditure totalled J$615.21 billion, accounting for 96.6 per cent of overall expenditure and is J$166.6 million greater than the budgeted amount. Under the recurrent expenditure categories for the review period, all categories excluding employee contribution, compensation of employees and interest were below the budgeted amount.

‘Programmes’ amounted to J$220.31 billion, which is J$1.31 billion more than budgeted while ‘Wages & Salaries’ totalled J$277.30 billion, greater than the budgeted amount by J$357.4 million. ‘Employee Contribution’ closed on J$19.24 billion, below the budgeted amount by J$593.9 million, reflecting a 3.0 per cent shortfall. ‘Compensation of Employees’ amounted to J$296.54 billion, which is J$236.50 million less than the budgeted amount.

‘Interest Payments’ amounted to J$98.37 billion, which is J$903.40 million below the budgeted figure. The fiscal deficit stood at J$28.33 billion, compared to a projected deficit of J$27.03 billion. Additionally, the primary surplus balance for the period is J$70.03 billion, less than the budgeted primary surplus of J$72.24 billion.