Spain says the central government's budget surplus fell by more than half in the first quarter because of a slowdown in the construction industry.
The Finance Ministry says the surplus declined to €3.28 billion (US$5.2 billion). This is equal to around 0.3 percent of gross domestic product.
Soaring tax revenue had helped Spain accumulate a public sector surplus. It included the accounts of the central government, regional governments and the social security administration. It was equal to 2.2 percent of GDP in 2007.
