Haushalt

Haushalt is a German noun with multiple related meanings, most commonly referring to a household or to a budget. In everyday language it denotes the people living in a dwelling and the resources they share, such as money, food, and appliances. In finance and public administration, it refers to a plan for income and expenditures, describing how funds are raised and spent, especially at municipal or national levels.

Etymology and sense of the term reflect management of resources. The word combines Haus (house) with Halt (maintenance or keeping), indicating the means and measures required to run a home or an institution.

Household sense: A household encompasses residents, their living arrangements, and the shared duties and expenses that sustain daily life. Household management includes budgeting, shopping, paying bills, bills, energy use, and provisioning. The term is used for private homes as well as for groups living together, such as roommates or families.

Budget and public finance sense: The state, municipalities, and organizations use the term Staatshaushalt or öffentlicher Haushalt to describe the annual financial plan. A Haushaltsplan outlines expected income and planned expenditures, while a Haushaltsjahr refers to the fiscal year. Budgetary processes involve preparation by the executive branch, approval by the legislature, and ongoing monitoring by finance ministries. Common terms include Haushaltsdefizit (deficit), Haushaltsüberschuss (surplus), and Haushaltsdisziplin (budget discipline).

Beyond government, the term is also used for corporate, nonprofit, or household budgets. In all uses, Haushalt denotes both the set of resources available and the rules governing their allocation and use.