LJUBLJANA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia's central government deficit rose to 2.3 billion euros or 3.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.

       The preliminary figures mark a notable contrast to the 2022 deficit, which stood at 1.4 billion euros or 2.4 percent of GDP.

       The ministry said that the deficit rose partly due to high government spending on energy subsidies aimed at easing the impact of soaring energy costs on the population, as well as state financial help to citizens and companies that were hit by the unprecedented floods in August.

       It said budget income was up by 5.5 percent to 13 billion euros last year, whereas budget spending climbed by 12 percent to 15.4 billion euros.

       Slovenia raised 1.5 billion euros through a 10-year bond issue earlier this week and is expected to issue an additional 3.2 billion euros in debt by the end of this year to finance the country's budget needs.