Economy
Budget revenue reaches 626.6 billion lek in nine months as VAT jumps 29%; investment at 75% of plan
The Finance Ministry reports that January–September 2026 revenue rose 11.3% from a year earlier and slightly exceeded the plan. Capital spending is lagging, at 75.2% of target.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 23, 2026, 13:16 · Updated 18:46 · 1 min read
In brief
- Total revenue reached about 626.6 billion lek, 100.3% of plan and 63.7 billion more than a year earlier.
- Net domestic VAT brought in 65 billion lek, up 29%, while profit tax stood at 95.7% of plan.
- Public spending reached 556.3 billion lek, but capital investment was only 75.2% executed.
The state collected about 626.6 billion lek in revenue in the first nine months of the year, according to preliminary data published by the Finance Ministry. The sum represents 100.3% of the plan for the period and is 63.7 billion lek, or 11.3%, higher than in January–September 2025. So far, 76.1% of the annual plan has been met.
Taxes drive the increase
Taxes and customs together collected 401.9 billion lek, 0.2% above plan and 7.9% more than a year earlier. The tax administration took in 215.6 billion lek, up 11.3%. The biggest contribution came from net domestic VAT, at 65 billion lek, 29% more than last year and 110% of plan, while VAT refunds reached 11.3 billion lek.
Personal income tax brought in 73 billion lek, up 15.5%, while profit tax fell short of its target at 42.3 billion lek, or 95.7% of plan. Social and health insurance contributions reached 150.9 billion lek, 13.5% more than a year earlier.
Customs collected 186.3 billion lek, up 4.3% but at 98.3% of plan. VAT on imports brought in 122.6 billion lek and excise duties 54.5 billion lek, both slightly below target.
Investment stalls
On the spending side, the budget spent about 556.3 billion lek, 92.8% of plan and 7.5% more than in 2025. Current spending reached 493.5 billion lek, 95.7% executed, with special funds accounting for 42.8% of it. Capital spending, at about 62.8 billion lek, was only 75.2% executed, even though it is 5.3% higher than a year earlier. The gap between revenue and spending shows that the budget has accumulated a surplus over this period.
