Saudi Arabia's Operating Revenues Index rose 3.0% year on year in August 2026, reflecting broad-based growth across several key sectors of the economy.
Financial and insurance activities recorded the strongest annual gain at 10.8%, followed by manufacturing with a 7.7% increase. Information and communication activities grew 5.8%, construction rose 3.2%, while wholesale and retail trade and motor-vehicle repair edged up 2.2%.
Over the same period, the Employees Compensation Index climbed 6.3% year on year, pointing to higher pay for workers across businesses.
On a monthly basis, however, the overall Operating Revenues Index declined. Manufacturing fell 4.7% from the previous month, financial and insurance activities slipped 1.0%, and information and communication activities dropped 1.2%.
Top-performing sectors
In August 2026, the highest activity-specific index values were recorded in electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply at 178.4, arts, entertainment and recreation at 135.4, and other service activities at 128.2.
For residents and expats in Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond, the figures signal continued momentum in the non-oil economy, particularly in finance, industry and services. Rising employee compensation also suggests steady demand for labour, while the monthly dip highlights the natural fluctuations within an expanding and diversifying economy.
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