Economic Analysis - Falling Hydrocarbons Revenues Will Widen Deficit - JUNE 2016
BMI View : Bolivia's fiscal deficit will widen substantially in 2016 as a result of plummeting hydrocarbonsrevenues. Facing slowing economic growth and declining political popularity, the government of President Evo Morales will continue to spend, undermining the country's sovereign credentials.
Bolivia's fiscal position will deteriorate in the coming year, as substantial reductions in oil revenues are not met by significant cuts in expenditures. With oil prices continuing to fall in recent months, we have downgraded our forecasts. Although we maintain our estimate of Bolivia's deficit at 4.4% of GDP in 2015, we now forecast a deficit of 7.2% in 2016, from 5.0% previously. Thereafter, we expect that rebounding oil prices will support a narrowing deficit. That said, the government's lack of a fiscal framework and its inadequate budgetary response to exogenous shocks will undermining its sovereign credentials, risking future downgrades.
Weak Oil Prices Will Weigh On Balance
Oil Price Slump Pulls Support From Budget
Bolivia - Budget Balance, % of GDP