Iran's fiscal year coincides with its calendar year, beginning on 21 March. The budget is prepared by the Finance Ministry and submitted to Parliament. Trade reforms implemented since 1991 have boosted economic growth and reduced budget deficits. The general government deficit fell from 9% of GDP in 1988 to 2% in 1992, but was up to almost 7% again in 1998. By 2002, however, external debt was equivalent to less than 2% of GDP as a result of market refroms.
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that in 2001 Iran's central government took in revenues of approximately $24 billion and had expenditures of $22 billion. Overall, the government registered a surplus of approximately $2 billion. External debt totaled $8.2 billion.
The following table shows an itemized breakdown of government revenues and expenditures. The percentages were calculated from data reported by the International Monetary Fund. The dollar amounts (millions) are based on the CIA estimates provided above.
REVENUE AND GRANTS | 64.2% | 15,410 |
Tax revenue | 4.0% | 956 |
Non-tax revenue | 58.7% | 14,077 |
Capital revenue | 1.6% | 378 |
EXPENDITURES | 100.0% | 22,000 |
General public services | 4.0% | 869 |
Defense | 14.3% | 3,154 |
Public order and safety | 5.0% | 1,110 |
Education | 18.6% | 4,091 |
Health | 6.5% | 1,429 |
Social security | 16.5% | 3,620 |
Housing and community amenities | 5.8% | 1,280 |
Recreation, cultural, and religious affairs | 3.1% | 678 |
Economic affairs and services | 14.8% | 3,245 |
Other expenditures | 10.8% | 2,383 |
Interest payments | 0.6% | 141 |
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