Prague is one of the cities that continuously report a budget surplus. Warsaw and Vienna also oscillate above the balanced budget line. However, Warsaw experienced a drop into deficit in 2019 and especially in 2020. This phenomenon can hypothetically be attributed to the effects of the pandemic.
Cities such as Amsterdam, Vienna and, to some extent, Barcelona are trying to apply the balanced budget principle. Amsterdam, which bases its budget on the city's disposable income, is pursuing this vision most rigorously. Vienna has been running a budget surplus in recent years and has historically maintained a balanced budget. Barcelona is the least regular in this group. Yet despite this irregularity, historical figures indicate efforts to achieve a balanced budget. The year 2021 is an exception due to the pandemic.
Copenhagen and Zurich in particular run deficits. These are cities located in rich and economically powerful countries. Therefore, it cannot be automatically concluded that a city's economy is directly dependent on the domestic economic situation. However, a more detailed analytical investigation is needed to clarify this phenomenon.
Chart: Net city income in euros per capita
Year: 2012–2021
Area: City territory
*Source: Official municipal websites
