Saudi Non-Oil Business Activity Rises in September 2026

Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector gathered pace in September 2026, with business activity recording its strongest improvement in several months as demand and hiring continued to grow.

The headline Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 55.3 in September, up from 53.8 in August, marking the best reading since February 2026. Any figure above the 50-point mark signals expansion, and the latest result extended the stretch of improving operating conditions to a sixth straight month.

Companies pointed to faster growth in new orders during the month, which in turn supported higher employment and increased purchasing activity across firms. The broad-based gains suggest businesses are responding to steady customer demand by expanding their operations.

Over the first half of 2026, Saudi Arabia's average PMI stood at 53.1, comfortably above the threshold that separates growth from contraction, underlining the continued momentum in the non-oil economy.

Why it matters

The non-oil private sector sits at the heart of the Kingdom's economic diversification drive under رؤية السعودية 2030. Stronger business activity typically translates into more hiring, additional spending on supplies, and expanding opportunities for residents and expats working across retail, services, and other industries in cities such as الرياض and جدة.

For the wider community, sustained expansion points to a resilient business environment and a growing job market, both of which shape everyday economic conditions for households and small businesses alike.

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