Economic Growth in Saudi Arabia
GDP growth weakens in Q1
A flash estimate showed that the economy grew 3.9% on an annual basis in Q1, after having expanded 5.5% in Q4.
The oil sector grew 1.3% in Q1 compared to 6.1% in Q4. Growth in the non-oil private sector fell to 5.8% in Q1 from 6.2% in Q4, while government services growth rose to 4.9% in Q1 from 2.9% in Q4.
On a seasonally-adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy contracted 1.3% in Q1, after having expanded 1.3% in Q4.
The weaker reading was driven by a slowdown in the oil sector, which was hit by lower OPEC quotas. The non-oil sector was more robust, with growth easing only slightly in year-on-year terms and rising slightly in quarter-on-quarter terms. This pattern is set to continue ahead. Oil output will be further knocked from May onward following further cuts to OPEC quotas announced in April, while the non-oil sector will continue to benefit from heavy government investment and low inflation. Looking at the economy as a whole, both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter growth should continue to ease ahead.
Saudi Arabia Economic Growth Chart
This chart displays Economic Growth (GDP, annual variation in %) for Saudi Arabia from 2013 to 2022.
Saudi Arabia Economic Growth Data
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Growth (GDP, ann. var. %) | -0.1 | 2.8 | 0.8 | -4.3 | 3.9 |