RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Operating Revenue Index rose 10.2 percent in March from a year earlier, driven by robust growth in transportation, mining and financial services, as the Kingdom’s non-oil economy continued to expand, government data showed.
The transportation and storage sector posted the biggest annual increase, climbing 25.8 percent, according to data released by the General Authority for Statistics.
Mining and quarrying activities rose by 25.5 percent year on year in March, while manufacturing activity witnessed a 4 percent increase during the same period.
Monthly business indicators are closely monitored as key measures of private sector momentum, investment activity, and the country’s progress toward reducing its dependence on hydrocarbons.
The figures also underscore Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification efforts as the Kingdom seeks to attract foreign investment and expand non-oil growth.
In its latest report, GASTAT stated: “On a monthly basis, the index increased by 8.1 percent in March. Issued building permits recorded an annual decrease of 0.7 percent compared with the same month last year, and a monthly decrease of 11.3 percent compared with February 2026.”
According to the report, information and communication operations increased by 18.5 percent year on year in March, followed by financial and insurance activities at 17.6 percent and arts, entertainment and recreation at 16.9 percent.
Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles rose by 4.6 percent, while water supply and sewerage operations increased by 3 percent.
Complementing the revenue uptick, the Employees Compensation Index climbed by 10 percent year on year in March, supported by increases in manufacturing activity by 9.9 percent and construction activities by 7.9 percent.
Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased by 10.4 percent, while financial and insurance activities rose 14.4 percent.
On a monthly basis, the ECI edged up 0.4 percent, supported by gains across several sectors. Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose 0.4 percent, while the construction sector increased 0.3 percent.
Mining and quarrying activities and financial and insurance activities each advanced 0.4 percent, while transportation and storage activities recorded the biggest monthly gain, rising 3.6 percent.
The data points to continued growth in employment-linked activity across key non-oil sectors of the Saudi economy.
The number of issued building permits saw a modest 0.7 percent annual decline from 5,201 in March 2025 to 5,162 a year later.
On a monthly basis, the number of issued building permits decreased by 11.3 percent.
The Short-term Business Statistics product measures short-term performance across Saudi Arabia’s business sector using monthly economic indicators that track developments and growth rates across various activities.
