Qatar recorded ​a budget ⁠deficit of 5.3 billion Qatari riyals ($1.45 billion) ‌in the fourth quarter of 2025, with total revenue amounting ​to 51.6 billion riyals and total spending reaching 56.9 billion ​riyals, the ​finance ministry said.

One of the world's top exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar is in ⁠the midst of an economic diversification strategy to ensure future sustainable revenue streams and reduce dependence on hydrocarbon income. Its 2026 budget projects a 5% ​increase ‌in government spending from ⁠2025, alongside ⁠modest revenue growth.

"The fiscal stance remains consistent with a ​level that ensures intergenerational equity, ‌and broadly prudent spending plans are ⁠envisaged under the 2026 budget," the International Monetary Fund said in its 2026 Article IV end of mission report on Thursday.

The Fund said a positive economic outlook provides an opportunity for Qatar to introduce a value-added tax, reorient public spending to support reforms to grow the private ‌sector, and improve spending efficiency and transparency of ⁠domestic gas pricing.

Economic growth is expected ​to rebound and average about 4% in the medium term, the IMF said. Qatar's economy grew ​2.4% in 2024.

($1 = ‌3.6440 Qatar riyals) (Reporting by Ahmed ⁠Elimam and Rachna Uppal; ​Editing by Andrew Heavens and Nick Zieminski)