Economic updates
Our in-depth, independent reports cover the macroeconomic environment, the Saudi government’s annual budget, and Saudi Arabia’s monetary and financial developments, labor market, and inflation.
Q2 2017 budget statement: (the fiscal deficit continues to show yearly declines).
Macroeconomic reportDue to an increase in government revenue, by 6 percent, and a drop in expenses by 1 percent, year-on-year, the fiscal deficit declined to SR46.5 billion in Q2 2017, compared to SR58 billion a year ago. Continued yearly improvements in oil revenue helped lift overall government revenue in Q2 2017, whilst total government expenses dropped by 1 percent year-on-year in Q2 2017. This was largely a result of a drop in capital expenditure, which fell by 12 percent year-on-year, whereas current expenditure rose by 1 percent year-on-year.
2018 Saudi Fiscal Budget
Budget reportThe government continues to support the economy through the largest ever budgeted expenditure of SR978 billion in 2018, compared with 2017s budget of SR890 billion. Based on revenues of SR783 billion, the government is budgeting for a slightly lower year-on-year deficit at SR195 billion, compared to our forecast of SR220 billion.
