This year, government outlays for salaries, allowances, and pensions have risen, even with a general decrease in total spending.

Data from the Finance Ministry indicates that the government allocated MVR 2.7 billion for salaries as of March 19, reflecting an increase of roughly MVR 80 million from the MVR 2.65 billion disbursed in the same timeframe the previous year.

The government has been criticized for increasing public-sector jobs before the upcoming elections, despite ongoing global economic challenges.

Although salary expenses have increased, recurrent costs have decreased considerably. Recurrent expenditure was MVR 7.38 billion last year, while this year it is MVR 6.6 billion, reflecting a decrease of MVR 780 million. The primary cause of this decrease is the reduction in administrative and operational costs, which decreased from MVR 4.73 billion to MVR 3.88 billion.

Total government spending also fell, from MVR 8.1 billion to MVR 7.27 billion. Capital spending decreased from MVR 721 million to MVR 665 million.

The total fiscal balance showed a surplus of MVR 2.1 billion, in contrast to MVR 873.7 million for the corresponding period last year. The primary balance recorded a surplus of MVR 2.68 billion.

The data indicates that despite the government's efforts to cut operating expenses, expenditures on public-sector wages and pensions still increase.