Saudi Arabia’s non-oil non-public sector retains rising solidly in December, PMI reveals

(Reuters) – Robust demand drove progress in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil enterprise sector in December, albeit at a barely slower tempo than the earlier month, a survey confirmed on Sunday.

The seasonally adjusted Riyad Financial institution Saudi Arabia Buying Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 58.4 in December from a 17-month excessive of 59.0 in November. Regardless of the dip, headline PMI remained effectively above the 50.0 mark denoting progress.

New orders continued to rise, marking the fifth consecutive month of acceleration, pushed by sturdy home demand and a lift in exports. The subindex surged to 65.5 in December from 63.4 the earlier month, and the tempo of progress was the quickest recorded in 2024.

“Saudi Arabia’s non-oil non-public sector ended 2024 on a excessive word, reflecting the profitable strides made underneath Imaginative and prescient 2030,” stated Naif Al-Ghaith, Chief Economist at Riyad Financial institution, referring to the nation’s bold programme to diversify its financial system.

Value pressures remained a priority, with enter costs rising sharply as a consequence of sturdy demand for supplies. Nonetheless, wage inflation eased, serving to to mitigate general value burdens.

Enterprise expectations improved to a nine-month excessive in December, with corporations optimistic about continued progress in 2025.

The non-oil GDP is anticipated to develop by greater than 4% in 2024 and 2025, pushed by substantial enhancements in enterprise situations, Al-Ghaith added.

The Saudi authorities plans to step up strategic spending on large initiatives to satisfy its Imaginative and prescient 2030 targets, particularly the weather with tight deadlines. Final month, the dominion was formally introduced as host nation for the 2034 soccer World Cup.