A royal directive has been issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, based on a recommendation from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to extend the Citizen Account Program under its current mechanism, with the continuation of temporary additional support for program beneficiaries for a full year. This royal decision affirms the wise leadership's commitment to providing a dignified life for citizens and continuing support for the most vulnerable families amidst economic changes.
The generous directive includes keeping registration open for the program, allowing unregistered families who meet the eligibility criteria to join and benefit from the support provided. This decision reflects the state's continued commitment to policies that prioritize citizens, especially those most in need of support, to alleviate their financial burdens.
Program context and strategic objectives
Launched in December 2017, the Citizen Account Program is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation. It was established to protect Saudi families from the direct and indirect impacts of various economic reforms, including adjustments to energy and water prices and the implementation of value-added tax (VAT). The program's mechanism involves providing direct cash support to eligible recipients, thereby enhancing the efficiency of government spending and ensuring that support reaches those truly in need, rather than relying on blanket subsidies for goods.
Additional support and countering global inflation
The approval of the “additional support” came earlier as a swift and flexible response from the Saudi leadership to address the repercussions of rising global prices and inflation rates witnessed by the international economy in recent years. Extending this additional support for another year demonstrates an accurate assessment of the economic reality and a genuine desire to protect the purchasing power of Saudi families, shielding them from the effects of global inflationary waves that could impact the prices of essential goods.
The social and economic impact of the decision
This extension carries significant social and economic dimensions. Socially, the program contributes to strengthening the financial stability of low- and middle-income families and reduces social disparities. Economically, injecting this cash liquidity into citizens' accounts stimulates purchasing power and domestic consumption, which benefits the national economy as a whole. This approach also aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to build a sophisticated and effective social safety net that guarantees a dignified life for all segments of society while advancing major development projects.
