Saudi Arabia recorded a significant increase in service exports, rising by 16.8% to reach 66.1 billion Saudi Riyals in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 56.6 billion Saudi Riyals in the same period of 2024. According to international statistics released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), travel services topped the export list, valued at 39.5 billion Saudi Riyals, with personal travel services accounting for approximately 92.2% of total exports in this category.
Following travel services, transportation services recorded exports worth 10.5 billion Saudi Riyals, with air transport making up about 40.6% of total transportation exports, while maritime and land transport services ranked lower. Government services exports reached 2.8 billion Saudi Riyals, followed by other business services valued at 2.6 billion Saudi Riyals, where professional and management consulting represented about 51% of total exports in this category.
Details of the Event
The General Authority for Statistics indicated that the value of exports from telecommunications, computer, and information services amounted to 2.3 billion Saudi Riyals, with telecommunications services alone representing about 51.4% of total exports in this category. Construction services recorded exports valued at 1.8 billion Saudi Riyals, while the remaining service exports were distributed among categories such as financial services, manufacturing services, personal, cultural, and recreational services, as well as insurance and pensions.
In a related context, Saudi Arabia's service imports in the fourth quarter of 2025 were approximately 119.6 billion Saudi Riyals, marking a decrease of 2.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Transportation services topped the import list with a value of 33.5 billion Saudi Riyals, where maritime transport constituted about 45.6% of total transportation imports, followed by air and land transport services at lower percentages.
Background & Context
These figures come as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance the services sector as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil. The Kingdom has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, focusing on developing tourism, financial, and technological services, contributing to increased exports and improved trade balance.
Travel services are among the most notable sectors that have seen remarkable growth, with an increase in the number of tourists visiting the Kingdom, especially after the easing of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments in tourism infrastructure and the promotion of tourist destinations have also contributed to bolstering this sector.
Impact & Consequences
These figures demonstrate the importance of the services sector in the Saudi economy, as it contributes to creating new job opportunities and enhancing economic growth. Furthermore, the increase in exports reflects the success of the economic policies adopted by the government, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a commercial and investment hub in the region.
Moreover, the decline in service imports may indicate an improvement in the efficiency of local services, reflecting the Kingdom's ability to better meet local market needs. This trend could enhance local investments and stimulate growth across various sectors.
Regional Significance
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest economies in the region, and thus its success in boosting service exports has positive implications for other Arab countries. These results may encourage neighboring countries to adopt similar strategies to enhance their own service sectors, contributing to sustainable development in the region.
In conclusion, these figures reflect Saudi Arabia's success in diversifying its economy and enhancing the services sector, contributing to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 and strengthening its economic position in the region.