Saudi Non-Oil Growth Accelerates as Services Exports Increase 7.9% in Q1
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s services exports rose 7.9 percent quarter on quarter to SR71.3 billion ($18.96 billion) in the first three months of 2026, driven by strong travel receipts as the Kingdom continued to expand its non‑oil economy, official data showed.
Figures from the General Authority for Statistics showed travel services remained the largest export category, generating SR44.3 billion about 62 percent of total services exports. Personal travel services accounted for 96.6 percent of that category.
Transportation services followed as the second‑largest category, reaching SR10.9 billion, with air transport making up 39.9 percent. Communications, computer, and information services amounted to SR2.6 billion, while government services exports stood at SR2.6 billion.
Other business services totalled SR2.4 billion, led by professional and management consulting. Construction services reached SR2 billion, while financial services contributed SR1.7 billion.
On the import side, services imports decreased by 6.9 percent to SR111.4 billion in the first quarter from SR119.6 billion in the previous three months. Transportation services led imports at SR31.8 billion, followed by travel services at SR21.3 billion and other business services at SR15.8 billion.
The services trade deficit narrowed as exports increased and imports declined, aligning with broader economic trends.
Earlier this month, GASTAT revealed that Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product expanded by 3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, with both oil and non‑oil activities growing 2.9 percent and government activities rising 1.5 percent. The services performance reflects the Kingdom’s successful efforts to boost non‑oil revenues through tourism, logistics, and business services under Vision 2030.
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