United Arab Emirates Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
United Arab Emirates's budget deficit was 5.09% in 2025, ranked 6th globally. This represents a 20.7% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's budget deficit stood at 5.09% in 2025, a decline of +1.33% from 2024. The IMF projects 5.09% by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 6th globally.
The United Arab Emirates recorded a budget deficit of 5.08 percent of GDP in 2025, ranking sixth globally among the 35‑year series compiled by the IMF World Economic Outlook. This figure follows a dramatic swing from the all‑time peak of 20.15 percent in 2006, when expansive fiscal stimulus coincided with soaring oil revenues, to the all‑time trough of –6.35 percent in 2015, reflecting the sharp contraction in hydrocarbon prices and a rapid fiscal consolidation effort. The current deficit sits marginally above that of Tonga (5.64 percent) and Samoa (5.00 percent), indicating that the UAE’s fiscal stance remains relatively tight compared with other small open economies. Over the past decade the deficit has narrowed steadily, suggesting that higher non‑oil revenues and prudent expenditure controls are taking effect. Continued diversification of the revenue base and disciplined spending are likely to keep the deficit modest, although a resurgence in global oil price volatility could reverse this trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 4.53% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 4.60% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 4.68% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 4.71% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 4.76% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 5.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.09% | −1.33% | #6 |
| 2024 | 6.42% | +0.60% | #181 |
| 2023 | 5.82% | −3.99% | #179 |
| 2022 | 9.81% | +5.84% | #183 |
| 2021 | 3.96% | +6.38% | #183 |
| 2020 | -2.42% | −4.91% | #160 |
| 2019 | 2.50% | −1.16% | #173 |
| 2018 | 3.65% | +3.81% | #176 |
| 2017 | -0.16% | +2.79% | #149 |
| 2016 | -2.95% | +3.40% | #82 |
| 2015 | -6.35% | −8.10% | #36 |
| 2014 | 1.74% | −6.25% | #165 |
| 2013 | 8.00% | −0.59% | #182 |
| 2012 | 8.59% | +3.54% | #182 |
| 2011 | 5.05% | +4.53% | #176 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's budget deficit was 5.09% in 2025. Ranked 6th globally. This represents a 20.7% decrease from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's budget deficit peaked at 20.15% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in United Arab Emirates was -6.35% in 2015.
United Arab Emirates ranks 6th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
United Arab Emirates's budget deficit is projected to reach 5.09% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 5.09%. This ranks 6th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_budget-deficit,
title = {United Arab Emirates Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}