Press releases and news

Clarification on inflation-linked bonds

News 24 November 2023 Central Government Borrowing

The role that inflation-linked bonds have in central government borrowing is a current issue in several countries, most recently Germany. Therefore, the Swedish National Debt Office would like to clarify our present position regarding the share of inflation-linked bonds in Sweden’s central...

Adopted guidelines for government debt management

News 9 November 2023 About the Debt Office, Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Today, the Government decided on guidelines for managing Sweden’s central government debt. The decision for 2024 is consistent with the Swedish National Debt Office’s proposal. This means that we will continue to phase out the foreign currency exposure and steer the inflation-linked share and the...

Deficit for Swedish central government in October 2023

Press release 7 November 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 0,7 billion in October. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 4 billion. The difference is mainly due to lower net lending.

Budget surplus becomes deficit in 2024

Press release 26 October 2023 Central Government Borrowing

Sweden’s central government budget balance has continued to develop more strongly than expected and is now approaching a surplus for this year too. But then two years of deficits will follow, according to the Swedish National Debt Office’s new forecast. The Debt Office is therefore proceeding with...

Debt Office provides supplementary analysis on foreign currency exposure

News 13 October 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

The Swedish National Debt Office submitted a report today supplementing this year’s proposed guidelines for central government debt management. The Government requested supplementary analysis after the Riksbank presented its response to the proposed guidelines.

Deficit for Swedish central government in September 2023

Press release 6 October 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 6.3 billion in September. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 8 billion. The difference is mainly due to higher income from taxes and lower payments from government agencies than expected. These effects were counteracted...

Debt Office Commentary: Long-term conditions for debt management

News 22 September 2023 Publication, Riksgäldskommentar, Debt Office Commentary

Central government debt serves an important purpose in the public economy in a number of ways. While it is difficult to discuss an optimal size for the debt, both a level far too low and high can pose challenges.

For debt management, there are many reasons to analyse the conditions in the long term. For example, because major changes sometimes do not become visible until further ahead in time, but also to see what types of strategy choices can follow from these changes. This commentary therefore considers three scenarios for the progression and management of the debt until 2034, given the current fiscal policy framework and the Debt Office’s guidelines and strategy.

Read the commentary in full here

A Debt Office Commentary is part of a series of essays in which Swedish National Debt Office employees contribute to furthering the understanding of a relevant subject. Debt Office Commentary 3 2023 highlights that the challenge for central government debt management in the coming years will...

Proposed debt management guidelines: Debt Office proposes unchanged steering of government debt for 2024

Press release 22 September 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

The Swedish National Debt Office proposes that the Government keep the current target values for the composition and maturity of the central government debt in place during 2024. However, with a continued low debt, the guidelines for debt management may thereafter need to be adjusted.

Surplus for Swedish central government in August 2023

Press release 7 September 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 34.3 billion in August. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 2.3 billion. The difference is mainly due to lower payments of electricity price compensation to companies than anticipated.

Compliance with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities – Q2 2023

Press release 1 September 2023 Financial stability

All systemically important banks and other institutions were compliant with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) at the end of the second quarter. Today, the Swedish National Debt Office released its quarterly report on MREL compliance.

Surplus for Swedish central government in July 2023

Press release 7 August 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 6.5 billion in July. The Debt Office's forecast was a minor surplus of SEK 0.1 billion. The difference is mainly due to higher tax income and lower payments from government agencies than expected. These effects were partly...

Deficit for Swedish central government in June 2023

Press release 7 July 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 34.3 billion in June. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 26.6 billion. The difference is mainly due to lower tax income and payments of electricity price compensation.

Permission to reduce eligible liabilities instruments

News 6 July 2023 Financial stability

On 19 April 2023, the European Commission adopted new provisions on, among other things, the process for applications for prior permission for reducing eligible liabilities instruments. The Debt Office will therefore apply the application process set forth in the delegated regulation.

Debt Office updates resolution plan and MREL for Swedish Export Credit Corporation

Press release 20 June 2023 Financial stability

The Swedish National Debt Office does not consider there to be grounds for managing Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK) through resolution. The Debt Office has therefore decided on a new resolution plan and that MREL is to be limited to a loss absorption amount, i.e. the sum of the firm’s...

Surplus for Swedish central government in May 2023

Press release 8 June 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 39.1 billion in May. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 23.1 billion. The surplus being higher than expected is primarily due to higher tax income.

Compliance with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities – Q1 2023

Press release 2 June 2023 Financial stability

All systemically important banks and other institutions were compliant with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) at the end of the first quarter. Today, the Swedish National Debt Office released its quarterly report on MREL compliance.

Sweden gradually increases bond supply

Press release 25 May 2023 Central Government Borrowing

Although the budget balance has so far developed more strongly this year than foreseen, the Debt Office still expects a budget deficit for the central government in 2023. Next year, expenditure will increase and the deficit will grow. To meet the greater deficit and upcoming redemptions, the Debt...

Surplus for Swedish central government in April 2023

Press release 8 May 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 12.7 billion in April. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 23.5 billion. The surplus being lower than expected is primarily due to lower tax income.

Deficit for Swedish central government in March 2023

Press release 11 April 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 12.9 billion in March. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 22.7 billion. The deficit being less than expected is primarily due to higher tax income than forecast. The higher tax income was partly offset by payments to...

IMF completes assessment of financial sector in Sweden

News 16 March 2023 Financial stability, About the Debt Office

In 2022, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducted a special assessment of the financial sector in Sweden called a FSAP (Financial Sector Assessment Program). FSAPs are performed regularly for member countries that have systemically important financial markets. The IMF’s most recent FSAP for...

Surplus for Swedish central government in February 2023

Press release 7 March 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 98.0 billion in February. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 58.7 billion. The difference is mainly due to higher tax income than estimated. At the same time, not the entire electricity price compensation to households...

Compliance with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities – Q4 2022

Press release 3 March 2023 Financial stability

All systemically important banks and other institutions were compliant with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) at the end of the fourth quarter. Today, the Swedish National Debt Office released its quarterly report on MREL compliance.

Increased borrowing as Sweden’s government budget shows deficit

Press release 23 February 2023 Central Government Borrowing

The central government budget shifts to a deficit this year after last year’s unexpectedly large surplus. This is partly due to decreased tax income but also to temporary factors such as electricity price support. The Swedish National Debt Office expects a continued budget deficit in 2024 and will...

How do market participants view the market for Swedish inflation-linked bonds?

News 23 February 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Today, the Swedish National Debt Office is launching a survey to learn more about market views on inflation-linked bonds. The survey questions are intended to help us gain a better understanding of how market participants view the recent developments and long-term demand.

Lower government debt but higher cost in 2022

News 21 February 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

The highest inflation in three decades and rising market interest rates affected Sweden’s central government debt management in several ways during 2022. On one hand, the new situation contributed to higher tax income and a historically low debt. On the other hand, the cost of the debt increased.

Deficit for Swedish central government in January 2023

Press release 7 February 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 45.7 billion in January. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 17.5 billion. The difference is mainly due to lower tax income than estimated.

Central government surplus of SEK 164 billion in 2022

Press release 10 January 2023 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments, as well as the central government budget balance, resulted in a surplus of SEK 164 billion in 2022. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 91 billion. Compared to the previous year, the larger budget balance surplus is due to both a stronger primary...

This year’s decisions on resolution plans and MREL

Press release 19 December 2022 Financial stability

The Swedish National Debt Office has made this year’s decisions on resolution plans and the minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL). The Debt Office has concluded that the majority of banks are making good progress in meeting the MREL that will ultimately apply as of...

Updated guidance on EBA’s guidelines for resolvability, and application report on bail-in tool

News 16 December 2022 Financial stability

The Swedish National Debt Office is today publishing an updated guidance document on the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) guidelines on improving resolvability for institutions and resolution authorities (EBA/GL/2022/01). The Debt Office’s guidance serves as a form of support for Swedish banks in...

Surplus for Swedish central government in November 2022

Press release 7 December 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 36.7 billion in October. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 28.7 billion. Tax incomes were higher than forecasted, while disbursements from agencies were lower. This was partially offset by the Debt Office’s net lending...

Compliance with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities – Q3 2022

Press release 7 December 2022 Financial stability

All systemically important banks and other institutions were compliant with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) at the end of the third quarter. Today, the Swedish National Debt Office released its quarterly report on MREL compliance.

Debt Office to phase out foreign currency exposure of government debt

News 11 November 2022 About the Debt Office, Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

The Swedish Government has adopted guidelines for the management of the central government debt. The decision for 2023 is in accordance with the Debt Office’s proposal and means that the foreign currency exposure of the debt will be phased out gradually over four years.

Surplus for Swedish central government in October 2022

Press release 7 November 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 19.0 billion in October. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 14.0 billion. Tax incomes were slightly higher than expected, while disbursements from a number of agencies were lower. This was partially offset by the Debt...

Lower government budget surplus increases borrowing requirement

Press release 27 October 2022 Central Government Borrowing

A rapid slowdown in the economy leads to weaker central government finances next year, according to the Debt Office’s new forecast. Temporary factors related to the high price of electricity also weigh on the budget balance. This creates an increased borrowing requirement for the central...

Swedish National Debt Office works with H2 Green Steel regarding a green credit guarantee

News 24 October 2022 About the Debt Office, Guarantees and Lending

In response to H2 Green Steel’s press information released today, the Swedish National Debt Office confirms that the agency is working with an application from the company. The application concerns a state guarantee covering up to 80 percent of a EUR 1 billion credit facility for a plant to...

Deficit for Swedish central government in September 2022

Press release 7 October 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 5.9 billion in September. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 2.4 billion. The difference is primarily explained by payments from government agencies being higher than expected while tax income was lower. This was...

Proposed debt management guidelines: Foreign currency exposure should be phased out

Press release 28 September 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

The Swedish National Debt Office is proposing that the foreign currency exposure of the central government debt be gradually phased out over the next four years. The proposal is based on updated analyses showing that the currency exposure involves a higher risk without lowering the cost of the debt...

Compliance with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities – Q2 2022

Press release 9 September 2022 Financial stability

All systemically important banks and other institutions were compliant with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) at the end of the second quarter. Today, the Swedish National Debt Office released its quarterly report on MREL compliance.

Surplus for Swedish central government in August 2022

Press release 7 September 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 44.5 billion in August. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 28.7 billion. The higher than expected budget balance is primarily explained by the Debt Office’s net lending being lower than anticipated. At the same time,...

State credit guarantees for electricity producers

Press release 6 September 2022 Guarantees and Lending

The Government has given the Swedish National Debt Office a mandate to provide credit guarantees for loans to electricity producers that are cleared in the electricity derivatives market by Nasdaq Clearing AB.

The Swedish Financial Stability Council agrees on measures to safeguard financial stability

News 4 September 2022 Financial stability

The Financial Stability Council has had an extraordinary meeting due to the liquidity problems in the market for electricity derivatives. These problems have prompted the government to propose state credit guarantees to mainly electricity producers trading in this market.

Debt Office to wind up a strategic position in the Swedish krona

Press release 29 August 2022 Central Government Borrowing

The Debt Office has decided to wind up a strategic position in the Swedish krona against the euro. The intention is to close the position gradually at a pace adapted to market conditions.

Surplus for Swedish central government in July 2022

Press release 5 August 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 15.4 billion in July. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 0.5 billion. The difference is mainly due to higher tax income and the Debt Office’s net lending being lower than expected.

Deficit for Swedish central government in June 2022

Press release 7 July 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 30.5 billion in June. It was a smaller deficit than the The Debt Office's forecast of SEK 34.3 billion. The difference is mainly explained by the Debt Office’s net lending being lower than expected.

Compliance with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities – Q1 2022

Press release 17 June 2022 Financial stability

All systemically important banks and other institutions were compliant with the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) at the end of the first quarter. Today, the Swedish National Debt Office released its new quarterly report on MREL compliance.

Surplus for Swedish central government in May 2022

Press release 8 June 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a surplus of SEK 69.2 billion in May. The Debt Office's forecast was a surplus of SEK 74.3 billion. The difference is due to lower tax income than estimated. At the same time, disbursements from government agencies and the Debt Office’s net lending...

Debt Office becomes resolution authority for central counterparties

News 1 June 2022 Financial stability

Yesterday, the Riksdag appointed the Swedish National Debt Office as the resolution authority for central counterparties – a role that the agency already has for banks and other financial institutions. Resolution is a specific procedure for the orderly crisis management of a bank or central...

Smaller surplus in Sweden’s government budget

Press release 24 May 2022 Central Government Borrowing

Lower economic growth, increased government spending, and an outflow of capital from tax accounts weigh on the central government budget. At the same time, higher inflation leads to increased income from VAT. Altogether, the Debt Office now expects a lower budget surplus for the central government...

Deficit for Swedish central government in April 2022

Press release 6 May 2022 Central Government Borrowing, Government Debt

Swedish central government payments resulted in a deficit of SEK 16.0 billion in April. The Debt Office's forecast was a deficit of SEK 7.4 billion. The difference is due to higher disbursements from state agencies and lower tax income than calculated.

Terms for switch to government bond SGB 1065

Press release 5 May 2022 Central Government Borrowing

The Swedish National Debt Office will offer a switch to government bond SGB 1065 2nd of June.