UAE Cabinet approves AED 71.5 billion federal budget

The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, has approved the Union General Budget Plan for the fiscal year 2025.

The budget totals AED 71.5 billion in revenues and AED 71.5 billion in estimated expenditures, maintaining a balanced approach between income and spending.

The federal budget represents the largest in the UAE's history, and highlights the strength of the national economy and the sustainability of resources to support key developmental, economic, and social projects. The approval of the 2025 budget is part of the multi-year financial plan (2022-2026).

The 2025 budget is allocated across key sectors, including Social Development and Pensions, Government Affairs, Infrastructure and Economic Affairs, and Financial Investments, alongside other federal expenses.

AED 27.859 billion, representing 39 per cent of the total federal budget, has been dedicated to the Social Development and Pensions sector. Of this amount, AED 10.914 billion (15.3 per cent) is allocated to public and higher education programmes, AED 5.745 billion (eight per cent) to healthcare and community prevention services, AED 3.744 billion (5.2 per cent) to social affairs, AED 5.709 billion (eight per cent) to pensions, and AED 1.746 billion (2.5 per cent) to public services.

The Government Affairs sector has been allocated AED 25.570 billion, accounting for 35.7 per cent of the total budget. The Infrastructure and Economic Affairs sector has been allocated AED 2.581 billion, representing 3.6 per cent of the total budget, while AED 2.864 billion (four per cent) has been designated for the Financial Investments sector. Additionally, AED12.624 billion (17.7 per cent) has been set aside for other federal expenditures.