RIYADH, Oct 1 — The Arab world’s biggest economy Saudi Arabia announced yesterday it anticipates a budget deficit of 2.3 per cent of GDP in 2025, projected to continue over the following two years.

The Gulf kingdom is engaged in a years-long economic reform drive seeking to reduce its dependence on oil and boost its tourism and business sectors.

It cited increased government spending and lower oil revenues for the budget outlook.

"In fiscal year 2025, the budget is anticipated to record a deficit of approximately 2.3 per cent of GDP,” the Saudi finance ministry said in a preliminary projection.

"The deficit is likely to continue at similar levels over the medium term”, it added.

The deficit is projected to hit 2.9 per cent of Saudi gross domestic product in 2026, and 3.0 per cent in 2027, the ministry said, citing "the government’s strategic expansionary spending policies that foster economic diversification and sustainable growth”.

In 2025, government expenditures are projected to rise to around 1.3 trillion riyals (RM1.4 trillion), according to the finance ministry, while revenues would see a 4.3-per cent decrease.

The ministry’s estimates put total government revenues for 2025 at approximately 1.2 trillion riyals, which would create a deficit of 101 billion riyals.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has enacted a series of production cuts since 2022 in a bid to hike prices.

It currently produces around nine million barrels per day, well below its declared capacity of 12 million bpd.

Largely state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco saw its 2024 first-quarter net profit dip 14.5 per cent on-year, followed by a 3.4-per cent decrease in the second quarter.

Real GDP is expected to grow this year by 0.8 per cent "driven by an estimated 3.7-per cent increase in non-oil activities”, the finance ministry said.

Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, Saudi Arabia has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in mega-projects like the planned futuristic desert city NEOM and major tourism and leisure developments. — AFP