Saudi Business Confidence Steady at 56.6 in September

Business confidence in Saudi Arabia stayed strong in September 2026, with the Business Confidence Index registering 56.6 points, only marginally below the 56.7 points recorded in August. The reading remained well above the 50-point neutral mark, signaling continued optimism among companies across the Kingdom.

A score above 50 indicates that businesses expect conditions to improve, while a figure below 50 points to expected contraction. The near-flat result suggests a stable outlook despite the slight month-on-month dip.

Sector data showed mixed trends. Confidence in the industrial sector rose to 56.3 points from 55.8 in August, reflecting improving activity. The construction sector posted the highest reading at 57.1 points, while the services sector stood at 55.4 points.

Meanwhile, the Purchasing Managers' Index climbed to 55.3 in September 2026, up from 53.8 in August, pointing to a stronger expansion in the non-oil private sector.

Why it matters

For residents and businesses, steady confidence readings are a sign of a healthy economic environment, which can support job creation, new projects, and continued investment across key sectors. The improvement in industrial activity and the rise in the Purchasing Managers' Index are positive indicators for the broader non-oil economy, a central pillar of the Kingdom's long-term growth plans.

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