The UAE Cabinet approved the Federal General Budget Plan for 2027–2029, with total expenditure of AED 292.5 billion, and approved the Federal General Budget Plan for fiscal year 2027 totalling AED 90.1 billion. The government says the cycle aims to advance fiscal sustainability and resilience, achieve global leadership in government financial performance, and consolidate the UAE’s international standing through partnerships.
What changed for social services and education
The Social Development and Pensions Sector has been allocated AED 34.6 billion, representing 38.4% of the total 2027 budget, and the allocation for public and university education programmes is equivalent to 18.8% of the total budget. According to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, "The allocations for social development, particularly education and healthcare, reflect the wise leadership’s commitment to sustained investment in people." What this means for recipients and service delivery may include expanded programmes or maintained funding levels for key social services, while existing delivery structures may remain in place; it could be worth checking how those allocations translate into line-item spending across federal entities.
What changed for healthcare and pensions
The allocation for healthcare is 6.7% of the total budget and the allocation for pensions is 6.4% of the total budget, while social affairs account for 4.4% and public services 2.1%. These shares clarify the relative weight of health and pensions inside the 2027 budget, but do not state specific reforms or project lists; it may be worth checking which specific healthcare and pension programmes will receive increased or maintained funding.
What changed for government operations and investments
The Government Affairs Sector has been allocated AED 29.1 billion, or 32.3% of the total budget; Federal Expenses are AED 17.8 billion (19.7%); the Financial Investments Sector will receive AED 5.6 billion (6.2%); and the Infrastructure and Economic Sector has been allocated AED 3 billion (3.4%). His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini said the plan reflects a shift towards greater agility and a more strategic approach to directing expenditure over the medium term and focused on empowering federal ministries and institutions with tools and solutions. This could mean re-prioritisation within ministries or new operational tools, while the claims do not list which agencies gain or lose resources.