Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector returned to growth in April 2026, as the Riyad Bank Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.5 from 48.8 in March. The move back above the 50.0 threshold marks a shift from contraction to expansion in overall business activity.
The improvement in April follows a weaker March reading, when the index slipped below 50.0 to 48.8, indicating a temporary downturn in private sector conditions. The April rebound suggests a strengthening in output and new business inflows, with firms reporting a more supportive operating environment compared with the previous month.
The latest Riyad Bank Composite PMI data, updated on 05 May 2026, will be closely monitored by investors and policymakers as a timely gauge of momentum in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy, a key pillar of the Kingdom’s ongoing diversification efforts.
