Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the country’s federal general budget for fiscal year 2025. The budget, setting both revenues and expenditures at AED 71.5 bn ($19.4bn), aims to maintain a balanced fiscal framework.
The 2025 federal budget is the largest in the nation’s history, reflecting the resilience of the national economy and the sustainability of resources allocated to key developmental, economic, and social projects.
The general budget adopted is part of the 2022-2026 budgetary framework, taking into account ongoing updates and procedures implemented by the Ministry of Finance, which align with the Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2019 on public finance, including its amendments and related policy directives.
Promoting Economic and Social Growth
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, stated that, “The 2025 federal budget showcases the UAE’s continued commitment to progress driven by a wise and forward-thinking approach, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The next year budget demonstrates the country’s keenness to harness all available resources to meet sustainable development goals while ensuring the well-being and prosperity of both our citizens and residents.”
His Highness added that, “The newly approved budget is yet another significant step toward achieving the UAE’s strategic objectives by optimizing financial resources and diversifying government revenue sources. We are committed to continuously supporting vital sectors such as education, health, and social welfare. Hence, we strive to maintain a careful balance between expenditures and revenues.”
The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, approved the general budget of the UAE government for the fiscal year 2025, with total expenditures amounting to 71.5 billion dirhams. This is the largest federal budget compared to previous years,… pic.twitter.com/Vk255Omk5f
— Maktoum Bin Mohammed (@MaktoumMohammed) October 8, 2024
His Highness underscored that the budget is designed to support the UAE’s ongoing efforts to drive economic and social progress while ensuring long-term sustainable development.
He highlighted that the budget also seeks to promote the quality of life and provide unmatched services to citizens and residents, as well as help forge a brighter future for generations to come.
Supporting Vital Sectors
HE Mohammed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, stated that the 2025 general budget complies with Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2019 on public finance and adheres to the highest international standards to fulfill the UAE’s ambitious sustainable development vision.
He added that the budget reflects the government’s commitment to vital sectors with strategic importance while improving the efficiency of government spending to meet comprehensive development goals and adapt to global economic changes.
Al Hussaini emphasized that the 2025 budget underscores the national economy’s strength and its ability to secure funding for essential developmental, economic, and social projects. A substantial portion of the budget is allocated to critical areas such as education, health, and social welfare, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a leader in enhancing the quality of life.
Al Hussaini added that, “The budget is designed to ensure the continued provision of excellent government services, improve innovation, and efficiently manage financial resources, in line with the leadership’s goals for sustainable development and long-term well-being.”
Budget Allocation Overview for FY2025
Social Development and Pensions: AED 27.859 bn ($7.6bn) (39% of the total budget)
Public and University Education Programs: AED 10.914 bn ($2.97bn) (15.3%)
Health Services and Community Prevention: AED 5.745 bn ($1.56bn) (8%)
Social Affairs: AED 3.744 bn ($1.02bn) (5.2%)
Pensions: AED 5.709 bn ($1.55bn) (8%)
Public Services: AED 1.746 bn ($475mn) (2.5%)
Government Affairs: AED 25.570 bn ($6.95bn) (35.7% of the total budget)
Infrastructure and Economic Sector: AED 2.581 bn ($703mn) (3.6%)
Financial Investments: AED 2.864 bn ($780mn) (4%)
Other Federal Expenses: AED 12.624 bn ( $3.43bn) (17.7%)
The 2025 budget is designed to enable federal entities to effectively implement their approved budgets, fostering advancement in various sectors, including economic, social, environmental, and services. This approach aims to enhance the UAE’s competitiveness on a global scale.