ATHENS - Greece's central government posted a primary budget deficit of 9.08 billion euros ($10.76 billion) in the first six months of the year, lower than its target, finance ministry data showed on Thursday.

The government had targeted a primary budget gap, which excludes debt-servicing costs, of 9.91 billion euros in the six-month period.

The central government figures exclude the budgets of social security funds and local administration.

Greece has extended COVID-19 restrictions several times to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, damaging an economy that emerged in mid-2018 from a decade-long debt crisis.

Budget revenue came in at 21.9 billion euros in the six-month period - slightly outperforming a target by 93 million euros, the government said.

Spending of 34.2 billion euros was 641 million euros lower than the government's target, the data showed. ($1 = 0.8440 euros)

(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos Editing by Mark Heinrich) ((george.georgiopoulos@thomsonreuters.com; +30210 337 6437; Reuters Messaging: george.georgiopoulos.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))