Taxation, Istat: tax burden rises to 43.5 per cent in the second quarter. The deficit improves to 2 per cent of GDP
The saving rate of consumer households stood at 6.7 per cent, down by 1.2 percentage points compared with the previous quarter. Against a 1.4 per cent increase in the implicit consumption deflator, households’ purchasing power fell by 0.9 per cent compared with the previous quarter
In the second quarter of 2026, on a year-on-year basis, the general government primary balance and net borrowing improved against a backdrop of growth in tax burden. The tax burden stood at 43.5 per cent in the second quarter, up 0.5 percentage points compared with the same period of the previous year. This is reported by Istat in the General Government Accounts and the estimates relating to households and companies, which form part of the Quarterly Accounts of the institutional sectors. The data are presented in raw form, whilst those relating to households and companies are seasonally adjusted.
Deficit/GDP: improves to 2 per cent in the second quarter
In the second quarter, the general government net debt-to-GDP ratio stood at -2 per cent (-2.1 per cent in the same quarter of 2025). The primary balance was positive, accounting for 3 per cent of GDP (2.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2025). The current account balance was also positive, accounting for 2.9 per cent of GDP (3.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2025). This is according to Istat.
Consumption on the rise: +1.7%
The disposable income of consumer households rose by 0.4 per cent compared with the previous quarter, whilst consumption grew by 1.7 per cent. The savings rate of consumer households stood at 6.7 per cent, down by 1.2 percentage points compared with the previous quarter.
