Glossary

Off-budgeting  is the process by which part of the expenditure and revenue that was previously recorded in the budget is transferred to entities outside the scope of the general government and is therefore not subject to the financial control of the implementation of the state budget. The off-budgeting practice is not necessarily negative and can result from the need to adopt modern, flexible and autonomous forms of management, as well as objectives of decentralisation, economic rationality and efficiency. Examples include: the corporatisation of state services, the creation of foundations, the establishment of Public-Private Partnerships.

The organic classification identifies the public entities and is structured by codes that correspond to the Ministries, State Secretariats, chapters, budgetary divisions and subdivisions.

On a national accounts basis, this item includes all capital expenditure except that on fixed capital formation. Included are capital transfers, changes in inventories and acquisitions less disposals of valuables, and acquisitions less disposals of non-produced non-financial assets.

Under "Other capital expenditure" have been accounted several financial support to the banking system, such as the capitalization of BPP, BPN, BANIF, CGD and Novo Banco, as well as deferred tax assets. Outside the scope of support for the banking system, "Other capital expenditure" also records, among other operations, financial support for non-financial companies whose financial and economic situation reflects the accumulation of losses. A recent example of these operations has been the support granted to TAP, SA and SATA Air Lines in the form of capital increases, loans and guarantees. 

On a national accounts basis, this item includes other current transfers (including Portugal's financial contribution to the European Union), other taxes on production, property income other than interest, current taxes on income and wealth and the adjustment for the change in pension entitlements.

The output gap is the difference between an economy's observed output (GDP) and the estimated potential output, divided by the potential output. If GDP is above its potential level, the output gap is positive: the capacity constraint tends to become active, which leads to inflationary pressures and a reduction of unemployment below its natural rate. On the other hand, if the output gap is negative, GDP is below its potential: there is unused productive capacity, so inflationary pressures decrease and unemployment rises above the natural rate of unemployment.

Outstanding interest is interest that is yet to be due.

The overall balance is the difference between actual revenue and actual expenditure from a public accounting perspective.

Own revenue refers to charges collected by services or bodies as a result of their specific activities, the administration and sale of their assets, and any other revenues that, by law or contract, should belong to them, and over which they have discretionary power within the scope of their respective organic laws. Examples include user fees, tuition fees, legal fees, and emoluments.