RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s real GDP increased by 2.8 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, driven by growth in all economic activity, according to government data.
According to flash estimates from the General Authority for Statistics, non-oil activity in the Kingdom expanded by 2.8% year on year over the three-month period, highlighting the progress of the country’s economic diversification program.
Saudi Arabia’s significant economic growth in the first quarter, despite rising regional crises, indicates the country’s strong financial position and progress in non-oil sectors. The International Monetary Fund forecast that Saudi Arabia’s economy would grow 3.1 percent in 2026, citing strong domestic activity and reforms aimed at diversifying the economic base.
In its most recent report, GASTAT said: “This increase (in real GDP) was driven by growth across all main economic activities, as non-oil activities rose by 2.8 percent, oil activities recorded of 2.3 percent increase, and government activities grew by 1.5 percent year-on-year.”
According to the authority, non-oil activities contributed the most to real GDP growth, accounting for 1.7 percentage points, followed by oil activities (0.7 percentage points), government operations (0.3 percentage points), and net taxes on products (0.2 percentage points).
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