A close reading of Saudi Arabia's fiscal policies in recent years reveals that what distinguishes them is not the volume of spending nor the allocation of provisions, but the philosophy underpinning them. Each annual budget is not a mere financial document; it is an expression of a leadership vision that understands transformation cannot be sustained unless the citizen remains at the center of national priorities. This is not a ceremonial phrase, but a governing principle consistently reinforced since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman solidified the concept that "the citizen is the engine of development," and that reshaping the economy must be accompanied by redefining the state's relationship with society on the basis of this centrality. One of the most striking dimensions of the budget is that it functions not only as a financial plan but also as a direct directive to public officials: the citizen must remain at the forefront when policies are designed and programs executed. It is no longer related to a financial item or a development program, but rather to a performance standard: How does this decision improve people's lives? This principle—repeated by the Crown Prince on numerous occasions—has moved from moral value to operational mandate, evident in the preparation of the budget and the mechanisms through which public spending is carried out. Viewed through this lens, the latest budget becomes even more telling. Its figures are not accounting indicators but evidence of a tough balance between driving transformations and safeguarding standards of living. Public spending is no longer built on the logic of "covering needs," but on formulating systems that allow citizens to keep pace with change without being overwhelmed by its speed. At every major juncture, the Crown Prince's discourse makes it evident that development is not an end in itself, but a means to enhance the well-being of the people who live on this land. For this reason, "Citizen first" is no longer a slogan raised in public discourse; but rather it is a reality visible across multiple components of the budget: continued investment in essential services, infrastructure improvements, sustained support for quality-of-life programs, protection for segments most affected by the pace of transformation, and converting large-scale investments into tangible opportunities for society. All of this reflects a state that views society not as a passive recipient of change but as a partner in shaping it. In this context, the focus on strengthening health, education, and public services is not a simple enhancement of existing sectors; it is a rebuilding of the daily foundations of life. The state does not treat these areas as expenditures, but as human-capacity investments—critical to enabling the Saudi citizen to grow, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly shifting economy. This is a marked departure from traditional budgeting models that separate economic development from human development. Likewise, the expansion of quality-of-life initiatives—across urban development, sports, culture, and environmental programs—signals a recognition that social stability is a prerequisite for the success of economic transformation. A more livable city, a more active and culturally engaged society, and a more balanced environment are all factors that cultivate public confidence and strengthen the social climate needed to embrace change rather than resist it. On the revenue side, the growing reliance on non-oil sources reflects a deeper shift in the philosophy of economic management. Diversification is no longer a financial preference but a societal safeguard—designed to protect citizens from global shocks and to ensure the sustainability of essential public services. This aligns with the Crown Prince's broader vision: long-term stability cannot rest on a single source of income but on a flexible economic model resilient to external fluctuations. This equilibrium—between transformation and protection—is not the product of short-term reactions. It is the result of a steady strategic vision that rejects both reckless acceleration and paralyzing inertia. The budget thus becomes more than an annual statement; it becomes a redefinition of the state's role: a state that invests rather than merely spends, plans rather than reacts, and places the citizen at the heart of every project rather than on its margins. Perhaps what reassures the public most is that, despite the scale of transformation, the leadership has not wavered from the principle of societal centrality. Anyone tracing recent official statements can observe a consistent thread: the citizen is not an accessory to Vision 2030—he is its essence. This, precisely, is what gives this year's budget its distinct tone: the tone of a state reshaping its economy without reshaping the citizen's place within it.
