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The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority reported that foreign currency reserves stood at SR1.733 trillion at the end of August, a 7.2 percent increase from SR1.617 trillion in August 2025. This component declined by 0.3 percent from the SR1.739 trillion recorded in July, according to SAMA statistics. Foreign currency assets accounted for 94.8 percent of overall official reserves last month, SAMA figures show.
SAMA data placed total official reserve assets at SR1.827 trillion in August, up 6.7 percent from SR1.712 trillion a year earlier. The total nevertheless fell 0.27 percent from SR1.832 trillion at the end of July, the central bank reported. The year-on-year gain amounted to approximately SR115 billion, SAMA figures indicate.
Special drawing rights reached SR79.37 billion at the end of August, SAMA data showed, an increase from SR78.8 billion in July but a two percent decline from the previous year. The reserve position with the International Monetary Fund rose to SR13.34 billion, a 1.4 percent gain from a year ago, according to the central bank. Monetary gold holdings remained stable at SR1.624 billion, SAMA records state.
Arab News reported that Saudi Arabia maintains reserves among the highest in the world, with foreign exchange holdings forming the dominant share. Data compiled by CEIC from SAMA show official reserves have averaged well above SR2 trillion over the long term while fluctuating in line with commodity prices and fiscal policies. The August outcome continues a pattern of rebuilding after earlier drawdowns, according to the central bank’s historical series.
SAMA releases have tracked steady growth in the reserve buffer over recent months, with the latest update covering the period through the end of August. The central bank publishes the breakdown monthly in line with International Monetary Fund classifications that separate foreign currency, SDRs, the IMF reserve position and monetary gold. Further details from SAMA are scheduled for release in coming weeks.
Fitch Ratings previously assessed the Kingdom’s reserve coverage at 16.5 months of external payments earlier in the year, a metric that underscores the buffer’s scale relative to outflows. SAMA data indicate reserves have provided consistent support for the riyal’s exchange rate peg and for fiscal stability amid global energy market volatility. The authority’s latest publication confirms the dominant role of foreign currency holdings within the overall portfolio.
