The budget is based on a projection that in 2022, gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 5%, with inflation at 2.4%, the Ministry of Finance said. The budget deficit is planned at 3.8% and government debt at 50.9% of GDP.
"The goal of the 2022 state budget is to promote further economic growth, the well-being of the population, as well as the development of certain sectors," said a government release, adding that additional funds worth 696.8 million euros were planned for measures related to national security and other important priority measures.
Next year, healthcare will have the largest chunk of additional funding - 130 million euros, of which 100 million euros are planned in the basic budget, but 30 million euros to finance one-off measures.
The Ministry of Defense will have an additional 10 million euros at its disposal. Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks said that the main priority in the field of defense in next year's budget is the strengthening of combat capabilities.
Key points contained in the budget proposals include:
- VAT will be reduced to 5% for the printed press and books.
- The minimum wage will be raised to a minimum 350 euros in January, then up to 500 euros in July.
- An additional 40.6 million euros is planned for the increase in salaries of doctors.
- 30 million euros will be allocated to oncology services.
- 15.2 million euros are planned for the increase of teachers' salaries.
- 20.7 million euros is planned for the increase in salaries of employees of the Interior Ministry and its related bodies (police, border guards, firefighters, prison service etc.)
- A salary increase is also planned for all those working in the field of culture.
- 10 million euros will be allocated to increase the salaries of employees in social care centers.
- 100 million euros are earmarked for municipal projects, including 30 million euros in grants.
- 57.7 million euros are planned for the construction of regional roads.
The Finance Ministry also released a graphic showing how the budget plans are projected to proceed towards approval by Saeima. According to the graphic, the cabinet is expected to sign off on the plans on October 12 and the budget delivered to Saeima two days later on October 14, at which point lawmakers will begin to scrutinize them in earnest. That is the same date upon which the budget was delivered to Saeima last year, with final approval of the budget eventually arriving on December 2.