Central government revenue and expenditure, Q2 2009

Total revenue in the second quarter of 2009 amounted to NOK 348 billion. This is a decrease of NOK 56.7 billion or 14 per cent compared to the same period last year. The decrease is mainly due to changes in the system for payments of petroleum taxes (see textbox), which has led to lower payments of petroleum taxes in this period. Total tax revenue constituted NOK 217.3 billion and was NOK 34.3 billion or 13.6 per cent lower compared to 2008. Part of the reduction in total revenue is also caused by a decrease in interest and dividend payments. Amounting in total to NOK 25 billion, these payments were NOK 10.5 billion or 29.6 per cent lower than in the same period in 2008.

Total expenditure increased by NOK 20.1 billion or 9.8 per cent to NOK 225.9 billion. The largest increases were transfers to municipalities and county municipalities and transfers to the National Insurance Scheme, which grew by NOK 4.5 billion and NOK 7.7 billion or 13.5 and 11.8 per cent respectively.

Net transfers to the Government Pension Fund - Global amounted to NOK 32.5 billion, compared to NOK 80.8 billion in 2008.

The quarterly figures are subject to random fluctuations, and must be interpreted with caution.