The government of Dubai has approved its 2025–2027 budget, which includes record-breaking revenues of Dh302 billion and expenditures of Dh272 billion. This budget is the biggest in the history of the emirate.
His Majesty The UAE’s vice president, prime minister, and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, declared on his X account that the Dubai budget had been approved.
“Today, we approved Dubai Government’s budget for 2005-2027, with revenues of Dh302 billion and expenses of Dh272 billion, marking it as the largest budget in the emirate’s history. A substantial 46 per cent of next year’s budget is allocated to major infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, energy, and water drainage networks, alongside the construction of a new airport. A 30 per cent of the budget is dedicated to health, education, social development, housing and other essential community services,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The huge budget underscores Dubai’s commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of its residents. “Next year’s budget will achieve an operating surplus of 21 per cent of total revenues for the first time, aiming to establish long-term financial sustainability for the Government of Dubai,” added Sheikh Mohammed.
“This year, we also launched a Dh40 billion portfolio for public-private partnerships. Our goal is to preserve and safeguard our financial surpluses for future generations. Maktoum bin Mohammed is leading this dossier with competence, and we reaffirm our confidence in him and his team. Dubai moves confidently toward the future, with solid, resilient, and sophisticated financial sustainability. The next phase promises even greater progress, and the best is yet to come.”
Fiscal year 2025 is predicted to see revenues of Dh97.66 billion and expenses of Dh86.26 billion. The budget also includes a general reserve of Dh5 billion in revenues, indicating the emirate’s commitment to supporting development projects, advancing the overall economy, and achieving the ambitious goals of the Dubai Plan 2030, the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Quality-of-Life Strategy 2033.
Expanding social services and improving living standards in crucial areas like infrastructure, culture, education, and health remain at the forefront of Dubai’s 2025 budget. This commitment is shown by initiatives like the Education Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33. In order to establish Dubai as a global benchmark for genuine well-being, the 2025–2027 budget cycle aims to fulfill the inspiring vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Dubai. This illustrates Dubai’s forward-thinking strategy for sustainable development in all spheres of society.
Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai Finance (DF), stated: “Dubai Finance is committed to achieving the government’s financial sustainability, enhancing competitiveness and transparency, and boosting the emirate’s attractiveness for investment. Our financial plans are designed to be both flexible and scalable.”
Dubai Strategic Plan 2030, Dubai Economic Agenda D33
He added: “The 2025 fiscal year budget aligns with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2030 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, as well as the recently launched Dubai Cashless Strategy, which aims to position Dubai as the capital of the digital economy. At DF, in collaboration with all government entities, we are dedicated to fulfilling the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and implementing the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Our focus is on increasing government support for key areas such as social development, housing for citizens, enhancing government operations, digitalising life in Dubai, advancing scientific research, boosting institutional agility, and strengthening the emirate’s global competitiveness.”
Director General of Dubai Finance affirmed: “The government is committed to working in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to adopt disciplined financial policies. Last year, we established a general reserve that is deducted annually from revenues to support financial stability, which is scheduled to reach about AED15 billion for the years 2025-2027. This approach of reserving annual surpluses promotes financial sustainability and strengthens the financial position of the emirate. During the implementation of the three-year financial plan, we expect to achieve an operating surplus of up to 4% of the expected GDP for the year 2025, anchoring the foundations of financial sustainability for the emirate.”
Sectoral distribution of government expenditures for 2025
The 2025 budget allocates 30% of all government spending to the social development sector. This covers health, education, housing, scientific research, and support for low-income families, women, and children. It also includes investments in youth and sports, as well as care for the elderly, retirees, and those with a strong will, in accordance with the goals of the Education Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
However, the security, justice, and safety sectors have been given a lot of attention, with 18% of total spending going toward its development and support. This industry continues to be one of the most significant in the emirate.
According to the 2025 budget, infrastructure and associated construction projects receive 46% of government spending. These projects include roads, tunnels, bridges, transportation networks, parks, sewage stations, renewable energy facilities, and the rainwater drainage network development plan. This also includes other initiatives, like the recently revealed Al Maktoum Airport development project, that enhance the standard of living and promote wise and sustainable transportation practices in Dubai.
Additionally, the emirate has allocated 6% of its total budget to support the public services sector, government excellence, scientific research, and innovation. Enhancing performance and cultivating a high-achieving, inventive, and creative culture are the objectives of this investment.
Driving force for sound financial planning, spending efficiency
Aref Abdulrahman Ahli, Executive Director of the Planning & General Budget Sector at DF, stated: “The vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, supported by the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, have been a driving force for sound financial planning. Thanks to their guidance, we were able to develop an unprecedented three-year financial plan, the largest in the history of the emirate.”
“The 2025 fiscal year budget not only meets the requirements of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2030 and beyond, but also showcases the emirate’s stable financial position. This stability has been driven by disciplined financial policies rooted in best practices, which have contributed to achieving an operating surplus of 21 per cent of total government revenues, ensuring the desired financial sustainability for the emirate,” he added.
“At Dubai Finance, we are committed to developing and implementing government spending efficiency programmes. We continue to stimulate the public-private partnership system, especially following the launch of a new portfolio of public-private partnership projects, valued at Dh40 billion, earlier this year,” Aref Ahli concluded.
Ahmad Ali Meftah, Acting Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DF, said: “The three-year budget cycle for 2025-2027 has been meticulously designed to support Dubai’s digitalisation strategy. This includes digitising government fee payment channels to streamline customer transactions and enhance their satisfaction. We have launched the Smart Installment System for government fees and are piloting the Biometric Payment System for faceprint and palmprint, in collaboration with several government entities”.
“Smart collection of government fees via digital channels has significantly increased, with 97 per cent of transactions across various government entities in Dubai being digital in 2023. Our Dubai Cashless Strategy, announced recently by the Government of Dubai, aims to achieve 90 per cent cashless transactions in both public and private sectors by 2026,” Ahmad Meftah added.
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