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The General Authority for Statistics released preliminary data indicating that Saudi Arabia’s Operating Revenues Index climbed 11.4 percent in May 2026 compared with the same month in 2025. The authority noted a 2.9 percent increase from April levels. This performance was driven by notable gains across multiple key sectors of the economy.
According to GASTAT the mining and quarrying sector led with a 38.7 percent surge in operating revenues. Manufacturing activities saw a 9.6 percent increase while wholesale and retail trade together with motor vehicle repair services grew by 3.6 percent. Construction revenues were up 2.5 percent and the financial and insurance sector expanded 12.9 percent. These sectoral contributions combined to produce the overall index advance the statistics agency detailed.
The General Authority for Statistics further reported a 9.8 percent annual rise in the Employees Compensation Index for May. Sector specific increases included 11.4 percent in manufacturing 7.6 percent in construction and 9.4 percent in wholesale and retail trade. Mining compensation grew 5 percent while financial and insurance activities saw a 12.8 percent gain.
On a monthly comparison the compensation index edged 0.1 percent higher than April the authority said. Building permits data formed another component of the release. The number of permits issued fell sharply both annually and monthly.
GASTAT figures place the May total at 5,056 building permits a 33.3 percent decline from 7,584 in May 2025. The monthly decrease stood at 25.7 percent from 6,803 permits in April. This contraction in construction activity contrasts with the revenue growth observed in the sector.
The latest figures build on gains seen in prior months with the index rising 10.6 percent in April and 10.2 percent in March according to previous GASTAT reports. The Operating Revenues Index serves as a key short term business indicator monitoring economic fluctuations across activities. The authority issues such statistics regularly to inform policymakers and stakeholders on current trends.
