The UAE federal government departments' total expenses amounted to Dh31.5 billion ($8.5 billion) in the first nine months of the year, reported state-run Wam, citing official figures released by the Ministry of Finance.

Public services' expenses totalled around Dh10.4 billion, accounting for 33 per cent of total federal expenses, while public safety affairs expenditures stood at Dh6.7 billion, a 21 per cent of the total expenses until the end of September.

Education expenses amounted to Dh3.533 billion, claiming 11 per cent of the total expenditure during the period from January until September, while health expenses standing at Dh2.615 billion, or 8 per cent, with the social protection sector claiming 7 per cent with a total of Dh2.247 billion.

The remaining expenses were divided over the economic affairs sector with Dh676 million, Dh333 million for housing, Dh174 million for protection of the environment, and Dh123 million for leisure, culture, and debt. The remaining amount was allocated to other sectors.