Prime Highlight
- Saudi Arabia’s 2026 state budget expects revenues of SR1.15 trillion ($306 billion) and prioritizes citizens’ welfare and Vision 2030 initiatives.
- The government aims to boost economic growth, support non-oil sector expansion, and maintain fiscal discipline through efficient spending.
Key Facts
- Total spending for 2026 is set at SR1.31 trillion, slightly lower than the SR1.34 trillion allocated in 2025, with a projected deficit of SR165 billion.
- Real GDP growth is forecast at 4.6% in 2026, driven by structural reforms, non-oil sector expansion, and enhanced private sector activity.
Background
Saudi Arabia approved its 2026 state budget, projected revenues of SR1.15 trillion ($306 billion), a 5.1% increase from 2025. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman endorsed the budget at a Cabinet meeting in Dammam, highlighting the Kingdom’s ongoing economic progress under Vision 2030.
According to the Ministry of Finance, total spending for 2026 is set at SR1.31 trillion, slightly lower than the SR1.34 trillion allocated for 2025. The ministry said the government will continue to improve spending efficiency, upgrade essential services, and advance major national strategies and giga-projects.
Revised figures show that Saudi Arabia expects a deficit of SR245 billion in 2025, or 5.3% of GDP. The deficit is forecast to narrow to SR165 billion in 2026, supported by targeted countercyclical spending and the Kingdom’s commitment to fiscal sustainability.
The government also projects real GDP growth of 4.6% in 2026, driven by steady non-oil sector expansion. The crown prince said the budget confirms the Kingdom’s goal of placing citizens’ welfare at the center of development priorities. He directed ministers to accelerate programs linked to Vision 2030, especially those focused on social development and economic diversification.
He noted that structural reforms have boosted non-oil activities, kept inflation below global levels, improved the business climate, and strengthened the private sector’s role. These gains, he said, have helped position Saudi Arabia as a major global economic and investment hub.
The crown prince added that the government will continue supporting economic growth while maintaining fiscal discipline, improving resilience to global changes, and promoting long-term development through flexible financial and economic policies.
