THE Independent Fiscal Commission (IFC) has renewed concerns about the Government’s wage bill, reporting that wages and salaries now consume more than half of all tax revenues collected.

The finding, which saw the figure jump to 54.4 per cent in the 2025-2026 financial year from 47.9 per cent a year earlier, comes as the fiscal watchdog continues to press for stronger controls on public sector compensation, warning that wage growth has consistently outpaced economic output and productivity gains.

According to the IFC’s latest statement on fiscal performance for the financial year 2025-2026 tabled in Parliament recently, wages and salaries exceeded budget projections by $14.9 billion during the financial year.