jordan pulse -

Finance Minister Abdel Hakim Shibli said Thursday the projected deficit in the 2026 draft general budget stands at JD2.12 billion, down to 4.6% of GDP.

He said domestic revenues rose to JD10.196 billion due to higher economic growth, while current expenditures reached JD11.456 billion and capital spending JD1.6 billion.

Shibli confirmed the Cabinet will send the 2026 draft general budget to the Lower House today.

He noted that the rise in projected revenues aligns with expected economic growth in 2026.

The minister projected real economic growth to rise from 2.7% in 2025 to 2.9% in 2026 and to exceed 3% in 2027 and 2028, driven by major capital projects such as the National Water Carrier, railway network, and gas exploration and transport projects.

Inflation is expected to remain low at around 2% in 2026–2028, among the lowest in the region.

Based on revenue and spending assumptions, the total deficit is projected to to about JD2.125 billion, or 4.6% of GDP, compared with JD2.258 billion or 5.2% of GDP in 2025.