Economic updates
Our in-depth, independent reports cover the macroeconomic environment, the Saudi government’s annual budget, and Saudi Arabia’s monetary and financial developments, labor market, and inflation.
Private sector leads real GDP growth in Q2
Monthly chartbookLatest economic growth data released last week confirm that the healthy performance of the Saudi economy continued into the second quarter of 2012 albeit at slower pace than previous quarters. In real terms (that is, adjusted for price movements) the economy was 5.5 percent larger in the second quarter of 2012 than in the same quarter of 2011. The non-oil private sector registered the highest year-on-year growth in the second quarter.
Rapid growth in the Kingdom’s foreign assets – April 2012
Macroeconomic reportFor the first time, data on the total foreign assets and liabilities of all components of the Saudi economy (government, companies and individuals) has been published. It shows that their combined foreign assets grew rapidly in recent years to stand at $707 billion at the end of 2010. This is very high and represents a core source of strength for the economy.
The Saudi Economy in 2012
Macroeconomic reportWe expect another year of reasonable performance in 2012. Non-oil growth will be strong and inflation should ease. Lower oil production will cause total real economic growth to slow, and combined with lower prices, will reduce the budget and current account surpluses.
