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Total public spending by the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is expected to reach $542.1bn in the 2025 financial year, according to data released by the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat).
According to a report published by the state news agency, WAM, the six member states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain — have largely projected higher public expenditures compared to 2024, directing increased funds toward infrastructure completion and targeted economic sector growth in line with long-term development strategies.
GCC-Stat data shows that government revenues across the bloc are forecast to remain relatively stable in 2025, supported by expectations that global oil prices will remain at moderate to high levels throughout the year.
Total public revenues for the GCC countries are estimated at $487.8bn, resulting in a combined budget deficit of $54.3bn for the year, the WAM report stated.
Read: GCC to outpace the global economy in 2025: FAB
Oil revenues: Major part of GCC government income
Oil revenues remain the largest component of government income in the region, making fiscal positions highly sensitive to global oil price fluctuations.
To mitigate risk, GCC countries adopt a conservative methodology when calculating break-even oil prices in their budget frameworks, aiming to buffer against volatility in the international energy markets.
To bridge the fiscal gap, GCC countries plan to rely on a mix of financial reserves and both domestic and international borrowing
