Russia's Q1 2026 Current Account Surplus Drops to $12.2 Billion
Quick Look
Russia's current account surplus decreased to $12.2 billion in Q1 2026 from $18.4 billion in Q1 2025, driven by a widening services deficit and a reduced income deficit, according to the Bank of Russia.
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Why It Matters
The Bank of Russia has released preliminary estimates for the country's current account surplus in the first quarter of 2026. The surplus reflects the balance of trade in goods and services, primary income (like investment income), and secondary income (like remittances).
MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The current account surplus in the first quarter of 2026 fell to $12.2 billion from $18.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to a preliminary estimate from the Bank of Russia.
The current account surplus in March 2026 was $10.6 billion, compared to $8 billion in March 2025.
"The year-on-year increase is due equally to an increase in the trade surplus and a reduction in the primary and secondary income deficit," the regulator said in a statement.
The services balance deficit widened to $8.7 billion in February.
Russia's foreign trade surplus in March 2026 increased by $1.7 billion compared to the same period last year, reaching $14 billion, according to the Bank of Russia.
"The year-on-year increase is due to the outpacing increase in goods exports compared to imports," the Central Bank noted.
Open Questions
- What specific factors contributed to the widening services balance deficit?
- What is the projected outlook for the current account surplus in the remainder of 2026?
- What are the implications of these figures for Russia's foreign exchange reserves?
