Saudi Arabia GDP Growth Strongest in 2½ Years

Saudi Arabia’s economy advanced by 4.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, accelerating slightly from 4.8% expansion in the previous period, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the strongest economic expansion since the fourth quarter of 2024, mainly supported by growth in oil activities, which surged 10.4%, following an 8.3% increase in the prior quarter. Meanwhile, non-oil activities continued to expand (4.1% vs 4.3% in Q3). By contrast, government activities contracted by 1.2%, reversing from a 1.4% gain in the previous quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, GDP expanded 1.1%, slowing from the 1.4% expansion recorded in the September quarter and marking the softest growth in three quarters. For the full year of 2025, the economy grew by 4.5% after a 2.7% gain in 2024, with all sectors posting expansions: oil activities grew 5.6%, followed by non-oil activities at 4.9% and government activities at 0.9%.

Saudi Arabia’s economy expanded by 4.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, revised down from an initial estimate of 5%,but still above the upwardly revised 4.5% growth in the second quarter. This marked the fastest pace of expansion since the fourth quarter of 2024. Oil-sector activity accelerated, rising 8.3% after a 3.9% increase in the previous period. Non-oil activity continued to rise, though growth moderated to 4.3% from 5.6%. Government activities picked up as well, posting a 1.4% increase following a 0.5% growth in the prior quarter. On the production side, the strongest gains came from mining and quarrying (7.2% vs 4.2% in Q2) and manufacturing (7% vs 4.1%), particularly petroleum refining (11.9% vs 2.7%). On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, GDP rose 1.4%, easing from an upwardly revised 1.9% increase in the June quarter.

Saudi Arabia’s economy expanded by 5% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, accelerating from a 3.9% growth in the previous period, according to preliminary estimates. This marks the strongest economic expansion since the first quarter of 2023, supported by growth across all major economic sectors, with oil activities leading the way, jumping 8.2% after a 3.8% gain in the prior quarter. Growth also picked up for government activities (1.8% vs 0.6%), while non-oil activities remained broadly stable at 4.5% (4.6% previously). On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, GDP grew 1.4%, slightly easing from the 1.7% expansion recorded in the June quarter.