Saudi Arabia: economy

What is Saudi Arabia's GDP growth rate?

Saudi Arabia's real GDP fell 4.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter of 2025, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Oil activities fell 24.8%, while non-oil and government activities each grew 0.9%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, GDP fell 4.8% from the first quarter of 2026. Oil activities subtracted 5.4 percentage points from annual growth.

The 2026 budget had projected real growth of 4.6% for the year, the National Debt Management Center's 2026 Annual Borrowing Plan shows. Quarterly growth swings with crude oil output, so the non-oil figure gives a steadier view of the rest of the economy.

Official sources: GASTAT: GDP and national accounts, Q2 2026 · National Debt Management Center: 2026 Annual Borrowing Plan

How much has Saudi oil output fallen?

Saudi Arabia's oil activities fell 24.8% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Crude petroleum and natural gas fell 28.4% and petroleum refining fell 12.7%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, oil activities fell 21.6% from the first quarter. Oil exports in July 2026 were 12.8% lower than in July 2025, GASTAT's trade release shows.

Oil activities cover crude oil and gas extraction and refining. Real figures measure volumes, not prices, so the fall reflects lower production rather than lower oil prices. GASTAT takes its oil trade data from the Ministry of Energy.

Official sources: GASTAT: GDP and national accounts, Q2 2026 · GASTAT: international trade in goods, July 2026

How fast is Saudi Arabia's non-oil economy growing?

Saudi Arabia's non-oil activities grew 0.9% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Community, social and personal services grew 4.1%, finance, insurance and business services 3.3%, and agriculture 2.6%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, non-oil activities fell 0.4% from the first quarter.

Non-oil activities cover everything except oil and government services. They contributed 0.6 percentage points to year-on-year GDP growth, while oil activities subtracted 5.4 points. Private consumption grew 0.8% and government consumption 5.0%.

Official sources: GASTAT: GDP and national accounts, Q2 2026

How much does Saudi Arabia export?

Saudi Arabia's merchandise exports fell 17.2% in July 2026 compared with July 2025, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Oil exports fell 12.8% and non-oil exports, including re-exports, fell 26.2%. Oil's share of total exports rose from 67.4% to 71.0%. Imports fell 15.4%, and the merchandise trade surplus was 25.0% smaller than a year earlier.

Non-oil exports include petrochemicals; plastics and rubber made up 19.8% of them, and chemical products 18.6%. Re-exports fell 40.0%. GASTAT compiles the figures from customs records of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and oil data from the Ministry of Energy; 2026 data are preliminary.

Official sources: GASTAT: international trade in goods, July 2026

Who are Saudi Arabia's main trading partners?

China was the largest destination for Saudi Arabia's merchandise exports in July 2026, taking 13.4% of the total, followed by the United Arab Emirates (10.0%) and Japan (8.7%), according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). China was also the largest source of imports, at 22.7%, ahead of the United States (8.4%) and Switzerland (6.9%).

The top 10 destinations took 67.2% of exports and the top 10 suppliers provided 64.7% of imports. Jeddah Islamic Port handled 42.7% of imports in July 2026.

Official sources: GASTAT: international trade in goods, July 2026

What does Saudi Arabia export besides oil?

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports, including re-exports, were 26.2% lower in July 2026 than in July 2025, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). National non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, fell 14.8%. Plastics, rubber and their articles made up 19.8% of non-oil exports, and chemical products 18.6%. The ratio of non-oil exports to imports fell to 35.0% from 40.1%.

Re-exports fell 40.0%, driven by a 67.7% fall in machinery and electrical equipment, which made up 32.5% of re-exports. Jeddah Islamic Port was the main outlet for non-oil exports, handling 24.2%.

Official sources: GASTAT: international trade in goods, July 2026

Is Saudi Arabia's economy growing?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Saudi Arabia was 4.5%, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from -3.8% (2020) to 12.0% (2022). It is 4th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.5%. Worldwide: 55th of 180.

What is Saudi Arabia's GDP per person?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person in Saudi Arabia was $34,537 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from $15,976 (2005) to $38,510 (2022). It is 4th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $6,051. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 31st highest.

How does Saudi Arabia's income per person compare after prices?

$73,784 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Saudi Arabia for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $19,699 in international dollars, and Saudi Arabia placed 2nd highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 17th of 179.

What share of Saudi Arabia's economy is exports?

29.7% of GDP: that is exports of goods and services in Saudi Arabia for 2025, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 23.8% of GDP (2020) to 62.1% of GDP (2008). It is 6th highest of 11 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 29.7% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 83rd of 133.

Does Saudi Arabia earn more abroad than it spends?

According to the IMF, the current account balance in Saudi Arabia was -2.6% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). Since 2005 it has ranged from -7.9% of GDP (2015) to 27.8% of GDP (2008). It is 10th highest of 12 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -0.6% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 80th of 132.

How much foreign investment does Saudi Arabia receive?

The IMF puts net inflows of foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia at 2.6% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 3.2% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at 0.1% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.8% of GDP; Saudi Arabia is 7th highest of 17. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 74th highest.