The Saudi general budget recorded revenues during the first half of the fiscal year 2020, about 326.01 billion riyals, expenses of 469.36 billion riyals, and a deficit of 143.34 billion. Revenues recorded a decline of 36 percent, compared to the similar period last year of about 506.11 billion riyals, and expenses fell 8 percent, compared to about 511.79 billion riyals.

The Saudi government reduced its actual spending during the first half of this year by 8 percent (42.4 billion riyals) to 469.4 billion riyals, compared to 511.8 billion riyals in the same period last year.

The reduction in government spending at a slower pace than the decline in revenues reflects the Saudi government's keenness to boost economic growth in the country.

Actual spending during the first half of this year represents about 46 percent of the estimated full-year budgeted spending of 1,020 billion riyals.

Actual spending during the first half of this year represents about 46 percent of the total budgeted spending for the full year.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan had previously announced that the Saudi government decided to reduce government spending during the current year by 50 billion riyals, less than 5 percent of the approved expenditures in the 2020 budget, as a result of the repercussions of the Corona virus and the decline in oil prices.
The minister stated that the reduction will be in some items in its budget with less social and economic impact, and that expenses on travel, assignments and events will be postponed, in exchange for increased amounts directed to the health sector to confront the Corona virus. The Saudi government had estimated the 2020 budget with revenues of about 833 billion riyals, against expenditures of 1020 billion riyals, expecting a deficit of about 187 billion riyals.