Government net lending/borrowing in Saudi Arabia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -3.5% 2027: -3.4% 2028: -3.6% 2029: -3.3% 2030: -3.2% 2031: -3.2%

-6.0 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	-6.0
Jan 1998	-8.9
Jan 1997	-2.5
Jan 1996	-3.2
Jan 1995	-5.1
Jan 1994	-8.3
Jan 1993	-9.3
Jan 1992	-8.1
Jan 1991	-3.3

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Measures the balance of Saudi Arabia's public accounts: a deficit occurs when government spending exceeds revenue over the year, and a surplus when the reverse holds. It is published by the Ministry of Finance and is expressed as a share of GDP.

How it's calculated

Derived as the difference between government revenue and expenditure over the fiscal year and set against nominal GDP. The Ministry publishes quarterly and annual balances; oil revenue is the dominant component.

Market implications

Saudi Arabia's fiscal balance moves with the oil price and with Vision 2030 spending. With the riyal pegged to the dollar, fiscal policy is the main adjustment tool; a wide deficit can mean more debt issuance and reserve drawdowns, and is followed by oil and fixed-income markets.

Limitations

It is a revisable figure that is highly dependent on oil prices, making it volatile year to year. The non-oil balance and spending by off-budget funds and entities (such as the PIF) give a fuller picture of the fiscal position.