Published on 5/25/2026
The general budget of the State of Qatar recorded a deficit of 10.3 billion riyals ($2.83 billion) during the first quarter of 2026, in light of the decline in oil revenues and a decrease in total revenues compared to the same period last year, according to Ministry of Finance data.
The Ministry said, in a statement published through its official account on the “X” platform, that total revenues during the first quarter amounted to about 37.8 billion riyals ($10.38 billion), a decrease of 23.5% on an annual basis.
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She added that oil revenues constituted the largest portion of revenues, with a value of 32.749 billion riyals ($8.99 billion), while non-oil revenues amounted to about 5.050 billion riyals ($1.39 billion).
On the other hand, public expenses recorded about 48.1 billion riyals ($13.21 billion) during the same period, a decrease of 3.7% compared to the same quarter in 2025.
Expenses were distributed at 17.970 billion riyals ($4.94 billion) for salaries and wages, and 19.123 billion riyals ($5.25 billion) for current expenses, while major capital expenditures amounted to 10.342 billion riyals ($2.84 billion), and secondary capital expenditures amounted to about 659 million riyals ($181 million).
Expansionary budget
The general budget for 2026 targets revenues of 199 billion riyals ($54.67 billion), compared to expected expenditures of 220.8 billion riyals ($60.66 billion), with an estimated deficit of 21.8 billion riyals ($5.99 billion).
Budget revenue estimates come at an average oil price of $55 per barrel, as part of a conservative financial approach aimed at enhancing financial sustainability and flexibility in the face of global market fluctuations.
Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari had previously announced that the expected deficit would be financed through local and external debt instruments, according to financing needs and developments in debt markets.
