JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com– Indonesia recorded a Rp240.1 trillion (US$14.6 billion) state budget deficit in the first eight months of 2026. This is equivalent to 0.93 percent of gross domestic product, as government spending exceeded revenue, according to Finance Ministry figures released on Friday, September 18.

State revenue reached Rp2,055.6 trillion by August 31, or 65.2 percent of the annual target shown in the ministry’s APBN KiTa infographic. Spending stood at Rp2,295.7 trillion, or 59.7 percent of the budget.

The finance ministry reported revenue grew 25.4 percent and spending rose 17.1 percent from the same period last year. It described budget implementation as broadly on track despite the deficit.

Tax receipts accounted for Rp1,409 trillion of revenue. Customs and excise brought in Rp210.2 trillion, while non-tax revenue reached Rp435.1 trillion.

On the spending side, the central government disbursed Rp1,791.5 trillion. It also transferred Rp504.3 trillion to regional administrations, the ministry’s infographics show.

Several large programs contributed to expenditure. The ministry reported Rp331.4 trillion in subsidy and compensation payments by the end of August. This amount is equivalent to 74.2 percent of their budgeted allocation.

It also reported Rp134.2 trillion in spending on the free nutritious meals program. The ministry said this program had reached 57 million recipients through 27,485 meal-service units.

Those figures describe payments and program reach; they do not, on their own, measure the programs’ effect on household purchasing power.

The budget recorded a Rp154 trillion primary surplus, which excludes interest payments on government debt.

Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara said fiscal policy would continue to support growth while protecting households and maintaining the budget’s credibility.

“Indonesia’s economy is resilient. Fiscal policy will keep working to deliver a budget that supports growth, protects people and remains credible,” Suahasil said.

Official growth data offer context for that assessment. The ministry’s chart rounds first-half economic growth to 5.5 percent.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reports the more precise figure of 5.45 percent compared with the first half of 2025. Growth in the second quarter was 5.29 percent year on year.

A separate ministry chart showed a cumulative net portfolio inflow of Rp141.6 trillion in 2026 through September 11.

That market figure covers a later reporting period than the August 31 budget accounts. It should not be read as state revenue.

For the Indonesian government, the remaining months will test whether revenue growth can keep pace with spending. It will also test whether the deficit stays within its planned limit.