Saudi Non-Oil Activities Grow in Q2 2026

Saudi Arabia's non-oil activities continued to expand in the second quarter of 2026, growing 0.6% year-on-year even as the wider economy contracted,

Overall real GDP declined 4.8% year-on-year in the quarter. The contraction was driven mainly by a sharp 24.7% drop in oil activities, reflecting lower crude output during the period. Government activities also recorded modest growth of 0.9% year-on-year.

It is worth noting that early flash figures for the same quarter were not fully consistent across releases. A later update placed non-oil growth at 0.9% and the overall GDP contraction at 4.7%. The direction of the numbers, however, points to the same underlying picture: continued momentum outside the oil sector even during a period of weaker headline output.

Why it matters

The resilience of non-oil activities is closely watched as an indicator of progress toward economic diversification under رؤية السعودية 2030. Growth in sectors beyond crude production supports jobs, private business, and the broader services economy that residents and expats rely on.

For households and businesses in الرياض, جدة, and other cities, steady non-oil expansion signals ongoing activity in areas such as retail, tourism, entertainment, and services, even when oil-driven figures weigh on overall growth. سعودي ليفنج will continue to follow updated data releases as more detailed estimates for the quarter become available.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving