Saudi Arabia's short-term business operating revenues jump 10.6% in April

Saudi Arabia's business operating revenues experienced a robust 10.6 percent increase in April compared to the same month in the previous year, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This positive year-on-year performance was largely propelled by significant growth in key sectors. Mining and quarrying activities surged by 22.5 percent, manufacturing by 10.3 percent, and financial and insurance activities by 14.2 percent. Wholesale and retail trade, along with motor vehicle repair, also contributed positively with a 6.9 percent rise, while the construction sector saw a 5.4 percent increase.

Despite the strong annual figures, a monthly comparison revealed a 3.8 percent decline in the Operating Revenue Index from March to April. This downturn was primarily influenced by a sharp 19.1 percent contraction in industrial, mining, and quarrying activities. Other sectors also experienced decreases, including wholesale and retail trade (1.5 percent), financial and insurance activities (2.5 percent), information and communication (1.5 percent), and transportation and storage (4.9 percent).

In parallel, the Compensation of Employees Index demonstrated positive annual momentum, climbing 10.1 percent. This rise was supported by increased employee compensation across various sectors, notably manufacturing (12.1 percent), financial and insurance activities (12.5 percent), and wholesale and retail trade (9.3 percent). On a monthly basis, this index saw a marginal increase of 0.1 percent, driven by gains in manufacturing, construction, and financial services.

Furthermore, the construction sector showed considerable vitality, with the number of building permits issued in April 2026 jumping 28.2 percent year-on-year to 7,356 permits. This sector also experienced a substantial monthly increase of 42.5 percent compared to March, indicating sustained activity and development within the Kingdom.