Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia’s PMI plunged to 48.8 in March 2026 from 56.1 in the prior month, signaling the first drop in the non-oil private sector in near six years and the steepest downturn since a record low in March 2020. The decline stemmed from Middle East war disruptions that strained supply chains and delayed client spending. New orders stalled, export demand shrank the most in six years, and output growth eased. Buying levels slowed, though inventories rose, reflecting limited stockpile reduction. Employment rose but at a weaker pace, while delivery times lengthened the most since June 2020 amid shipping delays and higher fuel costs. Supply constraints lifted backlogs to their highest since July 2018. On inflation, input cost rose the least in a year on softer wage pressures, though fuel and freight costs raised purchasing and selling prices. Sentiment dipped to its lowest since June 2020, as war concerns overshadowed support from government spending. source: S&P Global

Manufacturing PMI in Saudi Arabia decreased to 48.80 points in March from 56.10 points in February of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in Saudi Arabia averaged 56.38 points from 2011 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 61.80 points in September of 2014 and a record low of 42.40 points in March of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Saudi Arabia Manufacturing PMI - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Manufacturing PMI in Saudi Arabia decreased to 48.80 points in March from 56.10 points in February of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in Saudi Arabia is expected to be 53.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Saudi Arabia Non-Oil Private Sector PMI is projected to trend around 55.00 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Changes in Inventories 26623.00 -5895.00 SAR Million Dec 2025
Corruption Index 57.00 59.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 45.00 38.00 Dec 2025
Crude Oil Rigs 117.00 115.00 Mar 2026
Industrial Production YoY 8.90 10.80 percent Feb 2026
Industrial Production Mom -0.20 -0.50 percent Feb 2026
Manufacturing Production 3.60 6.80 percent Feb 2026
Mining Production 13.00 13.30 percent Feb 2026


Saudi Arabia Non-Oil Private Sector PMI
In Saudi Arabia, the seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index measures the performance of companies in non-oil private sector and is derived from a survey of 400 companies, including manufacturing, services, construction and retail. The Purchasing Managers Index is based on five individual indexes with the following weights: New Orders (30 percent), Output (25 percent), Employment (20 percent), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15 percent) and Stock of Items Purchased (10 percent), with the Delivery Times index inverted so that it moves in a comparable direction. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the non-oil private sector compared to the previous month; below 50 represents a contraction; while 50 indicates no change. This is only a limited sample of PMI headline data displayed on the Customer’s service, under licence from S&P Global. Full historic PMI headline data and all other PMI sub-index data and histories are available on subscription from S&P Global. Contact economics@spglobal.com for more details.

News Stream
Saudi Non-Oil Private Sector Contracts the Most in 6 Years
Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia’s PMI plunged to 48.8 in March 2026 from 56.1 in the prior month, signaling the first drop in the non-oil private sector in near six years and the steepest downturn since a record low in March 2020. The decline stemmed from Middle East war disruptions that strained supply chains and delayed client spending. New orders stalled, export demand shrank the most in six years, and output growth eased. Buying levels slowed, though inventories rose, reflecting limited stockpile reduction. Employment rose but at a weaker pace, while delivery times lengthened the most since June 2020 amid shipping delays and higher fuel costs. Supply constraints lifted backlogs to their highest since July 2018. On inflation, input cost rose the least in a year on softer wage pressures, though fuel and freight costs raised purchasing and selling prices. Sentiment dipped to its lowest since June 2020, as war concerns overshadowed support from government spending.
2026-04-05
Saudi Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Eases in February
Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia’s PMI edged down to 56.1 in February 2026 from 56.3 in January, signaling the softest improvement in non-oil business conditions in nine months. Output growth remained robust but lost pace, hitting a six-month low as competitive pressures and moderating international orders weighed on expansion. Meanwhile, the labour market showed notable strength. Staff numbers rose sharply, fueling a survey-record increase in wages as firms competed to retain and attract talent. Selling prices also accelerated, recording the joint-fastest uplift since May 2023. Sub-indices for domestic sales and new orders continued to rise strongly, supported by elevated customer demand, digital initiatives, and collaborative client projects. Order books expanded broadly, highlighting sustained domestic activity. Looking ahead, business confidence remained positive, with firms citing new client projects, stronger demand, and improving domestic economic conditions.
2026-03-03
Saudi Non-Oil Private Sector Stays Expansionary
Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia’s PMI eased to 56.3 in January 2026 from 57.4 in December, the lowest in six months and slightly below its long-term average. Still, the reading is consistent with a robust expansion, suggesting growth momentum has cooled but operating conditions remain firmly in positive territory. Business activity continued to rise at a solid pace and new orders increased at a marked rate, reflecting resilient domestic conditions. Export demand also strengthened, as new export orders expanded at the fastest pace since October 2025. Employment growth remained strong, though the pace of hiring eased to the softest in a year after peaking last October. Cost pressures intensified for a second straight month, with higher input prices, purchase costs, and staff expenses, particularly for metals, materials, fuel, and technology. Business confidence improved from December but stayed below its long-term average, pointing to cautious optimism for 2026.
2026-02-03