Spending increases outpaced revenue gains for Saudi Arabia last quarter, with the deficit edging up to $4.1bn for Q2. This brings the total deficit over the first half of the year to $7.4bn, putting it broadly on pace to come in at the budgeted full year figure of $21.1bn.

Revenues posted strong gains for Q2, with the increases shared between both oil and non-oil. Oil’s share of the total dipped slightly to 60% (see chart 1). Total revenues of $94.3bn equated to a 20% increase on the previous quarter. (CONTINUED - 511 WORDS)