State revenues are still below 2008 levels, and spending has increased considerably, mainly in salaries, social programs and pensions.
Between January and August 2010, revenues summed $3.35 billion while expenses $4.3 billion, mostly in salaries, social programs, pensions, scholarships, the special fund for tertiary education, road repairs and municipalities.
Source: Nacion.com
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September 2011
Between January and July 2011, the state’s payroll totaled $1,098 million.
Government spending on salaries has shown a significant increase compared to the previous year, according to a report by the Controler from July, which reveals that the of the total expenses, 40% relates to the Ministry of Education.
June 2010
In the first five months of 2010, the fiscal deficit was $670 million, 86% more than the same period of 2009.
An article in Nacion.com notes that “the deficit accounted for 1.93% of the country’s production. The Treasury expects the deficit to represent 4.8% of the GDP by the end of the year”.
June 2011
In the first 23 months in office, nonfinancial public sector debt has increased by $2,074 million.
This large amount of debt would not be a problem if the economy had revived, but "... the current administration has not been able to revive the economy because local and foreign private investment has stagnated, and the public sector has not been acted with the effectiveness required to improve productive activities", says an article in Elsalvador.com
May 2010
Greece had a 13% fiscal deficit and made the world tremble. Costa Rica’s deficit could reach 10% by the end of 2011.
Heads of households know it well, but authorities sometimes forget: you shall not spend more than you earn; a sacred rule for good management and honesty. Because it’s very easy to spend without reserve on election year, and pass onto the next government a serious problem, one almost impossible to solve without heavy social tension. Just check out what’s going on in the streets of Greece right now.