Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget: Crown Prince announces revenue and expenditure figures

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, affirmed that the approval of the 2026 Saudi budget represents a pivotal step reflecting the Kingdom's government's determination to move forward in strengthening the resilience and robustness of the local economy. This came during His Highness's chairmanship of the Cabinet meeting held in Dammam, where the state's general budget for the fiscal year 1447/1448 AH (2026 CE) was approved.

A new phase of Vision 2030

In discussing the national transformation, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince noted that the Kingdom will enter the third phase of Vision 2030 This phase is of paramount strategic importance, as the Kingdom transitions from the initial stages of establishment and launch to the stage of reaping the benefits and consolidating gains, necessitating a redoubling of efforts to accelerate the pace of achievement. This phase aims to achieve a sustainable impact extending beyond 2030, ensuring a prosperous future for generations to come, with a continued focus on diversifying the economic base and stimulating investment.

Strong growth in non-oil activities

His Highness reviewed the positive economic indicators reflecting the success of structural reforms, with preliminary estimates indicating real GDP growth of 4.6%. This growth is primarily driven by non-oil activities , which are projected to grow by 4.8%. This figure is tangible evidence of the Kingdom's successful policy of reducing reliance on oil as the sole source of income and strengthening promising sectors such as tourism, industry, and logistics, which has contributed to keeping inflation at low levels compared to global economies.

The role of the Public Investment Fund

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince emphasized the pivotal role of the Public Investment Fund ( PIF) as a leading investment arm, affirming its continued support for the Vision's objectives through the development of new strategic sectors and the establishment of global economic partnerships. The PIF works in close collaboration with the National Development Fund to enhance the sustainability of public finances and incentivize the private sector to become an active partner in comprehensive development.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget figures

The Cabinet approved the items of the State General Budget for the fiscal year 2026, the figures of which reflect the balance between development spending and financial sustainability, as follows:

• Public expenditures: 1,312,800,000,000 riyals (one trillion, three hundred and twelve billion and eight hundred million riyals).
• Public revenues: 1,147,400,000,000 riyals (one trillion, one hundred and forty-seven billion and four hundred million riyals).
• Estimated deficit: 165,400,000,000 riyals (one hundred and sixty-five billion and four hundred million riyals).

His Highness concluded by emphasizing that the citizen’s interest remains at the forefront of the government’s priorities, while taking pride in the Kingdom’s approach to investing in national human resources and continuing its leading and humanitarian role regionally and internationally.