Which term describes the opposite of a budget deficit?

A budget surplus occurs when a government or organization generates more revenue than it spends within a particular time period. This financial situation indicates that there is excess money remaining after all expenses have been covered, which can be used for various purposes such as paying down debt, investing in new programs or infrastructure, or saving for future needs.

In comparison, a budget deficit occurs when expenditures exceed revenues, leading to a shortfall that often requires borrowing or spending from reserves. The concept of a budget surplus directly represents the opposite scenario—a net gain rather than a loss in financial terms.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately capture the financial situation of having more revenue than expenditures. "Budget equilibrium" suggests a balance with no surplus or deficit, while "budget shortfall" refers to a situation of lacking funds and "budget excess," despite sounding similar, is not commonly used in the context of formal financial terminology as a direct opposite to a deficit. Therefore, the term that best fits the description of the opposite of a budget deficit is indeed a budget surplus.