The UAE has approved a federal budget exceeding Dh290 billion for 2027 to 2029, setting out government spending plans and priorities for the three-year period.
The UAE has approved a federal budget of Dh292.5 billion for 2027 to 2029, an increase of 8.3% compared with the previous three-year budget period, Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the Ruler of Dubai, said the government would continue to prioritise education, healthcare, housing, social services, quality of life and the stability of citizens.
The federal budget for 2027 has been set at Dh90.1 billion, with allocations covering social development, government affairs, financial investments, federal expenses, infrastructure and economic resources.
UAE Federal Budget 2027: Spending Breakdown
The UAE has allocated Dh90.1 billion across five main categories in its 2027 federal budget.
- Social development and pensions: Dh34.6 billion, accounting for 38.4% of the budget.
- Government affairs: Dh29.1 billion, or 32.3%.
- Federal expenses: Dh17.8 billion, representing 19.7%.
- Financial assets and investments: Dh5.6 billion, or 6.2%.
- Infrastructure and economic resources: Dh3 billion, accounting for 3.4%.
Social development and pensions received the largest allocation, followed by government affairs and federal expenses. Together, these categories account for most of the planned federal spending in 2027.
Education, Healthcare and Quality of Life Remain Priorities
Sheikh Mohammed said the government would maintain its focus on public services and citizens’ wellbeing throughout the three-year budget period.
The priorities include education, healthcare, housing and social services, alongside efforts to support quality of life and stability.
The budget sets out the federal government’s spending plans for the period from 2027 to 2029, with the 2027 allocation providing the first year’s breakdown.
Dubai Approved a Dh302.7 Billion Budget for 2026-2028
The federal budget announcement follows Dubai’s approval of its 2026-2028 budget cycle, which Sheikh Mohammed described as the largest in the emirate’s history.
Dubai’s three-year budget projected total expenditure of Dh302.7 billion and revenue of Dh329.2 billion, with an operating surplus of 5%, according to the announcement.
The federal and Dubai budgets cover different government jurisdictions and budget periods. The latest federal plan sets out spending priorities for the UAE government over the next three years, while Dubai’s budget outlines the emirate’s own financial plans.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Photo: KT file
