Short-term business indicators in Saudi Arabia for the month of April 2026 showed an increase in the index of operating revenues by 10.6% compared to the same month in 2025, while the index recorded a monthly decrease of 3.8% compared to the month of March 2026, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics.
According to preliminary results, the growth in operating revenues on an annual basis was supported by an increase in the performance of a number of major economic activities, most notably mining and quarrying activities by 22.5%, the manufacturing industry by 10.3%, wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair by 6.9%, in addition to an increase in construction activities by 5.4%, and financial and insurance activities by 14.2%.
On the other hand, the index showed a monthly decline of 3.8% during April 2026 compared to March of the same year, affected by a decline in industrial, mining, and quarrying activities by 19.1%, a decline in wholesale and retail trade activities, and vehicle repair by 1.5%, in addition to a decline in financial and insurance activities by 2.5%, and a decline in information, communications, transportation, and storage activities by 1.5% and 4.9%, respectively.
Regarding the workers’ compensation index, the index recorded an annual increase of 10.1%, supported by the growth of workers’ compensation in the manufacturing industry by 12.1%, construction by 8%, wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair by 9.3%, in addition to an increase in mining and quarrying activities by 1.8%, and financial and insurance activities by 12.5%.
On a monthly basis, the workers’ compensation index increased by 0.1% during April 2026, driven by an increase in manufacturing activities by 0.8%, construction by 0.1%, financial activities and insurance activities by 0.5%, in addition to the growth of transportation and storage activities and human health and social work activities by 0.1% each.
In the building and construction sector, data showed an increase in the number of building permits issued during April 2026 by 28.2% on an annual basis, reaching 7,356 permits, compared to 5,740 permits in April 2025.
Building permits issued also recorded a monthly growth of 42.5% compared to March 2026, during which the number of permits issued reached 5,162, which reflects the continued positive activity in the construction sector in the Kingdom.
The short-term business indicators in Saudi Arabia for April 2026 showed an increase in the operational revenue index by 10.6% compared to the same month in 2025, while the index recorded a monthly decline of 3.8% compared to March 2026, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics.
According to preliminary results, the annual growth in operational revenues was supported by the improved performance of several key economic activities, most notably mining and quarrying activities, which increased by 22.5%, manufacturing by 10.3%, wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair by 6.9%, along with a rise in construction activities by 5.4%, and financial and insurance activities by 14.2%.
In contrast, the index showed a monthly decline of 3.8% in April 2026 to March of the same year, affected by a decrease in industrial and mining activities and quarrying by 19.1%, a decline in wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair activities by 1.5%, in addition to a drop in financial and insurance activities by 2.5% compared, and a decrease in information, communications, transportation, and storage activities by 1.5% and 4.9%, respectively.
Regarding the index of compensation for employees, the index recorded an annual increase of 10.1%, supported by growth in employee compensation in manufacturing by 12.1%, construction by 8%, and wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair by 9.3%, along with an increase in mining and quarrying activities by 1.8%, and financial and insurance activities by 12.5%.
On a monthly basis, the employee compensation index rose by 0.1% in April 2026, driven by an increase in manufacturing activities by 0.8%, construction by 0.1%, and financial and insurance activities by 0.5%, in addition to growth in transportation and storage activities and human health and social work activities by 0.1% each.
In the construction sector, data showed an increase in the number of building permits issued in April 2026 by 28.2% year-on-year, reaching 7,356 permits compared to 5,740 permits in April 2025.
Building permits also recorded a monthly growth of 42.5% compared to March 2026, during which the number of permits issued was 5,162, reflecting the continued positive activity in the construction sector in the Kingdom.
