Saudi operating revenues index rises 4.9% in July 2026

Preliminary data from the General Authority for Statistics showed that Saudi Arabia’s operating revenues index rose by 4.9% in July 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. On a monthly basis, the index increased by 1.2% from June.

The authority explained that the annual rise was driven by a 13.5% increase in manufacturing activities, a 0.8% rise in wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair, and a 1.6% increase in construction. Financial and insurance activities grew by 9%, while information and communications activities rose by 6.5%.

Monthly growth in operating revenues

On a monthly level, the operating revenues index climbed 1.2%, supported by a 0.8% increase in manufacturing, a 6.4% rise in mining and quarrying, a 0.1% uptick in construction, as well as growth in information and communications by 3.7% and accommodation and food services by 0.6%.

Increase in worker compensation index

Regarding the worker compensation index, the authority reported annual growth of 7.4%, driven by a 10.3% increase in manufacturing, 4.6% in construction, and 6.2% in wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair. Mining and quarrying activities rose by 2.7%, while financial and insurance activities increased by 6.4%.

On a monthly basis, the index was up 0.3%, with mining and quarrying rising 0.3%, financial and insurance activities up 0.1%, transport and storage increasing 0.8%, information and communications up 1.8%, and human health and social work activities rising 2.6%.

Rise in building permits

In terms of building permits, the authority stated that the number of permits issued in July 2026 rose by 4.4% year-on-year to 5,828, compared to 5,582 in July 2025. The figure also increased by 15.5% from June 2026, which recorded 5,045 permits.