GDP growth (annual) · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel
The Saudi Arabia GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel measures how much the economy of Saudi Arabia grew compared with the same period a year earlier.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Quarterly
- Currency
- SAR · Saudi riyal
- Central bank
- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
Latest figures
The latest release for Q3, published on 1 November 2026, came in at -3.8%, up from -4.7% the time before.
Over the last 8 releases it ranged from -4.8% to 5.0%, averaging 1.9%.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 2026 | Q3 | -3.8% | – | -4.7% |
| 30 Jul 2026 | Q2 | -4.8% | – | 3% |
| 30 Apr 2026 | Q1 | 2.8% | – | 5% |
| 1 Feb 2026 | Q4 | 4.9% | – | 4.8% |
| 30 Oct 2025 | Q3 | 5% | – | 3.9% |
| 31 Jul 2025 | Q2 | 3.9% | – | 3.4% |
| 1 May 2025 | Q1 | 2.7% | – | 4.4% ® |
| 30 Jan 2025 | Q4 | 4.4% | – | 2.8% |
Why it matters
The yearly rate is less noisy than the quarterly change and is the figure most people mean by "economic growth". It shapes the earnings outlook for local companies, tax revenue, and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)'s view of how much spare capacity the economy has.
How it is calculated
the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) compares real GDP (after inflation) with the same quarter or year before; full-year figures sum the four quarters.
Growth (yoy) = real GDP ÷ real GDP a year ago − 1What changes mean
- Growth above the country's trend (about 1–2% for advanced economies, more for emerging ones) tends to raise inflation pressure.
- Annual growth turns only slowly; the quarterly figure shows turning points earlier.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the Saudi riyal and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the Saudi riyal tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
Annual national accounts spread after the Second World War under the UN System of National Accounts (first edition 1953).
The riyal is pegged to the US dollar, so Saudi rates follow the Fed.
Questions
What is the Saudi Arabia GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel?
The Saudi Arabia GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel measures how much the economy of Saudi Arabia grew compared with the same period a year earlier.
What was the latest Saudi Arabia GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel?
-3.8% for Q3, published on 1 November 2026.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.