Saudi GDP Grows 3.0% in Q1 2026 on Non-Oil Push

Saudi Arabia's economy expanded 3.0% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, with growth driven mainly by activity outside the oil sector.

The data show oil activities rose 2.9% compared with the same period a year earlier, while non-oil activities also grew 2.9%. Government activities increased 1.5% over the same period.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, real GDP eased 1.2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, indicating a slight quarter-on-quarter softening even as the annual trend remained positive.

Why it matters

The broad-based annual growth points to continued momentum in the non-oil economy, a central goal of the Kingdom's long-term diversification plans. For residents and expats, stronger non-oil activity tends to support hiring, retail, services, and construction — sectors that shape day-to-day job opportunities and consumer spending across the Kingdom.

The figures also offer a snapshot of how the wider economy is tracking early in the year. While the annual reading shows expansion, the modest quarter-on-quarter decline is a reminder that growth can vary from one period to the next as seasonal factors and sector performance shift.

These represent the most recent published Q1 2026 national accounts figures for Saudi Arabia.

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