Czech state debt rises to a record CZK 3.882 trillion over three quarters (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The third-quarter 2026 balance, interest costs and the structure of bondholders.
MEDIA ARCHIVE / 1998–2026
Reporting
on state debt.
Numbers have a history. So does reporting on them.
Explore how the Czech budget, state debt and borrowing have been covered over the years.
86articles and documents
29years in the archive
1998oldest article
Original reports and data: Czech Fiscal Council – members, pay and history ↗
86 articles · 1998–2026
2026
21 articlesNext year's budget repeats the mistake of 2019. Borrowing in good times fuels inflation (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Ondřej Schneider's commentary on the planned 2027 budget.
Fiscal Council statement on the draft 2027 state budget (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Official assessment of revenue, expenditure and budgeting practices in the 2027 draft.
Fiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2026 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The Fiscal Council's baseline scenario, including the projected debt-brake crossing in 2034.
Czechia is borrowing with its foot on the accelerator. The bill will be expensive (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Refinancing, market yields and the gradual repricing of old debt explained.
How to fix the budget? Economists who tried to persuade Babiš respond (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Economists including Mojmír Hampl propose changes to government revenue and expenditure.
Even investment is not a blank cheque for the Czech state budget (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Martin Komrska's view on debt-financed investment and budget limits.
The government borrowed tens of billions from households and will offer more bonds before Christmas (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Household bonds and changes in the financing mix of state liabilities.
Pavel says the draft budget is poor and its deficit too high (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The president's response to the planned 2027 budget deficit.
A CZK 400 billion deficit? Perhaps we should not have mentioned it, says economist (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
An interview with Fiscal Council chair Mojmír Hampl on deficits and fiscal rules.
Cash Only: Czech borrowing costs are rising fastest in the EU. Why might that be? (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Jiří Nádoba's commentary on bond yields and fiscal policy plans.
Supreme Audit Office: the government failed to use favourable conditions to stabilise finances (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Annual assessment of the 2025 budget, mandatory spending and rising interest costs.
The government missed last year's chance to stabilise public finances, says the auditor. Despite investment, digitalisation, transport and the military lag behind (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Assessment of 2025 state finances and public investment outcomes.
Record demand for record Czech debt (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Who buys Czech government bonds and how the holder mix is changing.
State debt rose by CZK 312.3 billion last year, exceeding CZK 3.5 trillion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Reporting on 2025 results, bond issuance and rising debt-servicing costs.
Fiscal Council statement on the draft 2026 state budget (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Official assessment of the draft budget against the expenditure limits then in force.
State debt expected to rise by CZK 313.6 billion this year (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Debt and servicing-cost projections in the draft 2026 budget.
The budget unquestionably breaches the law, says the Fiscal Council (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Reporting on the Fiscal Council's objections to the draft 2026 budget.
Commentary: the “Ministry of Debt” already costs us CZK 100 billion. Start saving there (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
David Klimeš's view on rising debt costs and possible savings.
Last year's state budget ended with a CZK 290.7 billion deficit (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2025 result, deviation from the approved plan and economists' responses.
State debt reached CZK 3.678 trillion at the end of 2025 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
January's review of 2025 and expenditure linked to debt financing.
2025
4 articlesFiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2025 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The outlook after pension system changes and with rising defence costs.
Czech state debt rose by CZK 139 billion in the first half-year (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The mid-2025 balance and debt relative to economic size.
Rising state debt threatens public finance stability, says the Supreme Audit Office (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The auditor's assessment of 2024 finances and the ministry's response.
State budget ends with a CZK 271.4 billion deficit (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
2024 results and preliminary state debt and interest figures.
2024
7 articlesFiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2024 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Effects of fiscal consolidation and pension system changes on long-term projections.
Czechia keeps borrowing and breaking records (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Debt after the first quarter of 2024 and its relationship to the budget deficit.
Supreme Audit Office: government failed to move the budget towards balance (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The auditor assesses mandatory expenditure and debt-servicing costs.
Last year's state debt hit a record. Nearly CZK 286,000 per Czech resident (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Confirmed 2023 debt results in the figures published at the time.
State debt costs are rising fast. In two years they will exceed spending on new motorways and railways (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Interest-cost developments and the outlook for their budget impact at the time.
Last year's state budget ended with a CZK 288.5 billion deficit (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Comparing the 2023 outcome with earlier pandemic deficits.
Counted: last year's budget deficit was CZK 288.5 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2023 balance, revenue, spending and reasons for rising debt.
2023
3 articlesFive reasons why Czechia is condemned to debt (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Analysis of mandatory spending, indexation and the draft 2024 budget.
Fiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2023 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Structural deficits, automatic indexation and long-term budget pressures.
Budget deficit reaches CZK 360.4 billion; state debt rises to CZK 2.895 trillion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2022 fiscal balance and expenditure mix at the time.
2022
3 articlesFiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2022 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Long-term public finance imbalances after the pandemic and at the start of the energy crisis.
Government approves the draft final state accounts for 2021 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
A proposal to settle the deficit and debt developments after the pandemic year.
Worst in history: a CZK 420 billion hole in the state budget (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The final balance of the record 2021 budget deficit.
2021
3 articlesFiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2021 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Effects of looser fiscal rules and permanent tax and spending changes.
Commentary: the government offers nothing for the huge debt. Least of all a future (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Martin Čaban's view on planned deficits and the composition of government spending.
You owe CZK 191,000: record state debt divided per citizen (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The full-year 2020 outcome and rising debt during the pandemic.
2020
4 articlesState debt stood at CZK 2.07 trillion by the end of September (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
An interim pandemic-year balance and issues financing the exceptional deficit.
Fiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2020 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The pandemic and the changing public finance starting point for the coming decades.
Lower house approves raising this year's budget deficit from CZK 40 billion to CZK 200 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The first emergency deficit increase after the COVID-19 outbreak.
State debt rose to CZK 1.640 trillion last year. Theoretical debt per Czech resident: CZK 150,000 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2019 balance, when nominal debt rose slightly and the debt-to-GDP ratio fell.
2019
2 articlesFiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2019 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The Fiscal Council's second report on long-term government revenue and spending risks.
Last year's budget ended with a CZK 2.9 billion surplus, against a planned CZK 50 billion deficit (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2018 outcome, including lower nominal debt and a lower debt-to-GDP ratio.
2018
2 articlesMinistry launches Republic Bond issues. Is it worth investing? (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The start of household bond sales; terms as described in 2018.
Fiscal Council report on the long-term sustainability of public finances 2018 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The Fiscal Council's first long-term projection: population ageing and public finances.
2017
2 articlesState debt rises again to an all-time high, driven by government bond sales (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Prefinancing at negative yields and subsequent repayment of old issues.
Babiš's day: announcing an unprecedented surplus (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2016 outcome and the role of tax collection, EU funding and investment.
2016
3 articlesBudget remains in record surplus. Babiš takes credit, but analysts say his contribution was limited (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The August surplus and different explanations for the improved balance.
Finance ministry audit reveals a CZK 14 billion loss from risky debt management. Some documents also disappeared (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
HN's findings from the ministry's hedging audit at the time.
Czech debt rises again instead of falling further. Average debt per person: CZK 159,000 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2015 balance and the effect of bond issuance conditions.
2015
2 articlesCzechia has spent its state reserves. Finance ministry declines cheap borrowing despite investor demand (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Reporting on cash reserve drawdowns and the debate over optimal state debt management.
Babiš: more efficient management has reduced state debt (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The first-half decline and economic explanations of reserve drawdowns.
2014
2 articlesI struggled to hold the line, says Babiš of the CZK 100 billion deficit (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Approval of the 2015 budget and the debate over deficits during economic growth.
State budget in good shape; deficit may be lower (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Revenue developments during the recovery and full-year deficit estimates.
2013
2 articlesState debt to exceed CZK 2 trillion by 2016 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The ministry's outlook at the time, not the eventual actual result.
State debt: CZK 159,000 per Czech resident (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2012 result and the effect of cash reserves on gross debt.
2012
1 articleState debt rises again: now CZK 156,000 per Czech resident (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Debt growth including a reserve against possible euro-area stress.
2011
1 articleState debt rises by CZK 69 billion in the first half-year (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The mid-year balance and borrowing plans for subsequent years at the time.
2010
5 articlesMPs approve another CZK 275 billion in bonds (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Refinancing earlier liabilities: new issues need not increase net debt.
State plans CZK 274 billion in bond issues (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Financing maturing liabilities and the difference between new issuance and rising debt.
Analysts: debt repayment will become more expensive for Czechia (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Analysts' expectations at the time for bond yields and government financing costs.
State debt crosses the trillion-koruna mark (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Debt growth during the global financial crisis and financing of new deficits.
Final bill for last year's deficit: CZK 192.2 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The first January balance for the crisis-hit 2009 budget.
2009
1 articleCzechia now owes more than CZK 1 trillion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Crossing the trillion-koruna threshold and contemporary expectations of future interest costs.
2008
1 articleState debt exceeded CZK 892.3 billion in 2007 (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2007 state debt balance and its long-term growth.
2007
2 articlesFast-growing economy slows government debt (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Economic growth, tax collection and Maastricht criteria in the statistics of the time.
State debt reaches CZK 78,000 per Czech resident (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The 2006 result, the budget deficit and further borrowing needs.
2006
1 articleState debt now amounts to CZK 71,000 per Czech resident (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
First-half state debt developments and the per-capita calculation.
2005
1 articleCzechia now owes CZK 663 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The debt balance after the third quarter of 2005 and its composition.
2004
2 articlesState debt reaches CZK 50,000 per Czech resident (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
A look at 2003 borrowing and differences between debt measures.
Government wants to reduce planned borrowing (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
A plan to bring future deficits below CZK 100 billion.
2003
2 articlesCzechia repays foreign-currency debt and saves money (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Early repayment of a foreign loan and interest savings.
State debt jumps to CZK 395.9 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Reporting on the full-year 2002 debt result.
2002
3 articlesState debts growing at the fastest rate in history (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The contemporary debate over public finance reform and deficit reduction.
Government debt approaches CZK 400 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Government debt growth and warnings about mandatory spending before EU accession.
Czech state debt is growing alarmingly (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
iHNed's contemporary view of deficits and borrowing before the incoming government.
2001
2 articlesBudget deficit already reaches CZK 60 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
November state finances and expectations for the full-year outcome at the time.
State borrowing set to grow rapidly (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The debt outlook to 2004 and the debate over expenditure reform.
2000
1 articleLast year's state budget ended with a CZK 29 billion deficit (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Approval of the 1999 final accounts and bond financing of the deficit.
1999
1 articleYear-end budget deficit to exceed target by CZK 10 billion (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
A contemporary budget estimate and pension account shortfalls.
1998
2 articlesMinisters have an unusual party today: budget talks (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
The second budget version, with a proposed CZK 31 billion deficit.
Government to try adjusting the budget to Christian Democrats' wishes (opens on the publisher's website in a new tab)
Negotiations over the deficit 1999 budget and investment funding.
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How to read this archive
This is a manually curated selection, not a complete media archive. It covers Hospodářské noviny / iHNed, Seznam Zprávy, Novinky, Aktuálně.cz, ČTK / České noviny, ČT24 and iDNES. Fiscal Council reports and opinions are original institutional documents, not media articles.
Articles are ordered by publication date. If only an update date is available, it is explicitly labelled. ČTK is the news agency; the outlet identifies where a story was published.
Headlines are translated into English from their wording at the time, retaining rounding and forecasts. Older forecasts may not have materialised; for current comparisons use the verified Ministry of Finance data series. Debt per resident is not a personal liability. Commentaries express their authors' views, not statistical observations.
Full texts are available from the publishers, generally in Czech, and may require a subscription. Our short English summaries are provided for orientation. Selection checked on 23 October 2026. List for AI agents and further processing (JSON) ↗
Prepared by Česko na dluh · Sources and editorial standards