The second half of December marked a transformative conclusion to the year for Saudi Arabia, defined by a major policy shift to empower the industrial sector, world-class recognition in digital governance, and unprecedented levels of commercial and religious tourism activity.
Industrial Empowerment and Economic Surge
In a decisive move to boost the competitiveness of the national industry, the Cabinet approved the cancellation of the expat levy for licensed industrial establishments.
This decision builds on six years of exemptions that have already driven a 56% increase in industrial GDP to over SAR501 billion and a 74% rise in industrial employment.
Global Leadership in Tech and Health
The Kingdom’s digital transformation strategy achieved a major milestone, ranking 2nd globally in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index with a score of 99.64%, placing it in the "very advanced" category. In healthcare, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) was ranked 1st in the Middle East for oncology and orthopedics and successfully pioneered a novel 3D-printing technique to treat inner ear disorders.
The period by numbers:
SAR30.7 Billion: The record value of e-commerce sales in October 2025, marking a 68% annual increase.
68.7 Million: The total number of worshippers and visitors received at the two holy mosques during Jumada Al-Akhira.
8 Million: The number of visitors to Riyadh Season 2025 since its launch in October.
32.3%: The year-on-year growth in non-oil exports for October 2025.
11.9 Million: The number of Umrah performances completed in the month of Jumada Al-Akhira.
95 Tons: The quantity of seasonal seeds stored by the Kingdom, setting a new Guinness World Record.
26: The number of awards won by Saudi students at the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (WAICY), taking 1st place globally.
$160 Million: The total value of development loans signed with Mauritania for water and electricity projects.
158,000 Tons: The volume of citrus production in the Kingdom as the new season launches.
1.9%: The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia for November 2025.
12,000+: The number of industrial facilities now operating in the Kingdom, up from 8,822 in 2019.
2: The number of new Dark Sky Reserves accredited in AlUla (Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah).
As 2025 draws to a close, Saudi Arabia records a year defined not merely by statistical growth, but by structural transformation across every major sector.
From welcoming record numbers of tourists and pilgrims to securing top global rankings in digital governance and industrial competitiveness, the Kingdom has effectively translated strategic planning into tangible reality.
These milestones—spanning economic diversification, technological leadership, and international diplomacy—serve as cumulative evidence of a maturing ecosystem.
With every regulatory reform implemented and every global partnership secured this year, Saudi Arabia has done more than catalogue achievements; it has systematically narrowed the distance to its ultimate goals, moving one decisive year closer to the complete realization of Vision 2030.