As of early 1985, the public sector consisted of the central government, the municipalities, and the state organizations and agencies. (Before 1975 the public sector included the provinces, but these were abolished as political units in that year.) Municipalities had their own sources of revenue, but most of their budgets were covered by transfers from the central government. Of the numerous public entities, some were profitable and contributed surpluses to the treasury, but others required transfers from the central government to meet their expenses. On a consolidated basis, the public enterprises had an overall surplus of LD25 million. However, in both 1983 and 1984, public enterprises operated at a net loss.
Data as of 1987